I Know You’re Out There

Hiding in plain sight
smiling
as if all is well
what a beautiful couple
what a perfect life
you are so blessed
if they only knew
what you know
all too well
the blame flip
the reality spin
the crazy-making
behind closed doors
no one else sees
poisoned arrows fly at you
aimed with a smile
bleeding you into confusion
no chance to heal
how small you've become
a shadow of yourself
joy daily buried
left for dead.

Maybe
tomorrow you'll wake
and gather
your dwindling shred of energy
prop up a smile
and pretend again
that this is love.

I see you.

I believe you.

I've been there.

You are not alone.

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Photo: Anthony Tran, for Unsplash

Just in case: 24/7 U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline, voice: 800-799-7233, text: “START” to 88788