He’s vague and quiet

She doesn’t know why

She senses something not quite right

But she has nothing to go by.

Frustration grows, she knows not why

In the night, she nudges, ever so slightly

In one moment’s time, he’s on top of her

… Pain surges

Fists come heavily slamming against her face,

Not once, but twice, … and then

A scream! And then she cries out, “Stop!”

And she realizes it’s her!

He doesn’t know what he’s doing!

She finds herself cowled in a ball on the floor, 

there against the wall, next to the bed

He’s over her, this time trying to console.

She yells to get away, “get out!”

Yet she needs him, afraid to be alone.

She’s scared and worried

Worried her daughter heard

Worried about work.

The hours drag on, a long, dark night.

It’s finally morning, as she picks herself up.

Makeup and powder are her friend now

To conceal the purple around her eyes.

Struggling, she collects herself to go about the day, in disbelief.

Monday comes and she makes a call…

“Books fell on my face from a high shelf,” she explains to her boss.

….In order to stay home, away from public, where the terror might be revealed.

How could this happen, she wonders

From someone who said loves her?

How could she be so stupid?!

To let this happen?!

She feels like a fool,

Yet deceived…. By life…. By men!

(From a time in the past.)

October 26, 2021