I Didn't Know The Signs

From my book THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL.

It began in 1981 and ended finally in 1982 but I remember it all as if it was yesterday. I remember being threatened. I remember being slapped. I remember being punched repeatedly. I remember a knife being pulled on me. I remember the night I tried to fight back but gave up and ran all the way home (from 23rd and Vanpelt to 32nd & Euclid) instead. I remember when he came to my workplace and threatened me in front of my coworkers. I remember the security guard coming to my defense. I remember being stalked when I broke up with him. Thankfully my horror story ends there, but it could have been different. If it wasn't for God's grace and mercy, it would have been different. Though my heart was far from him at the time, God was still watching over me.

​Twenty five years later I began training with the NJ Coalition for Battered Women and received my certification as a Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention Volunteer. I've also published two chap books on dating and domestic violence titled The Writing Was On The Wall and Words Will Never Hurt Me. This field is my passion because I remember. 

The National Hotline for Domestic Violence is 1-800-799-9090. The National Number for Dating Abuse is 1-866-331-9474  and you can also text "loveis" to 22522. Find out more at loveisrespect.org and thehotline.org. And I am always here if you need me.
​

​*I DIDN’T KNOW THE SIGNS
 
He was big and dark like a teddy bear
I fell for all his lines
I thought he really loved me
I didn’t know the signs  
 
The first time that he hit me
He quickly apologized
He even cried and his tears were real
I didn’t know the signs  

Next time around I’ll be careful
I’ll be patient and I’ll be wise
I’ll think with my head and not my heart
Because now I know the signs  
  
Poetricia Publishing © 2013 

---