Forging Forward

Toxic abandon,
Freedom from fraught,
Painful years of ill treatment,
Lessons left to be taught,

Gaslighting,
Yelling,
Name-calling,
Shame,

No matter the issue,
I’m always to blame.

I’m selfish,
Venomous,
Inconsiderate,
Broken.

Endless words filled with hurt,
Over a lifetime, spoken.

In silence I suffered,
All alone in despair,
Desperate for comfort,
That seldom was there.

Help me, please,
This pain is too much,
I can hardly hang on,
To life I clutch.

Emotions neglected,
Trauma endured,
My pain only grew,
When I sought to be heard.

One final straw,
Now I move without doubt.
I knew it was time,
When I was denied and thrown out.

I made a promise,
To the young girl in me.
She needs safety now,
We long to be free.

With needs unfulfilled,
My heart breaks and bleeds.
There is no choice left,
If I’m to succeed.

My love never ceases,
Good times I hold dear,
Needing to do this,
Was a great fear.

So onward I go,
A new chapter awaits.
Part two of my life,
Trauma will not dictate.

Like a phoenix from ashes,
I am rising above.
With a heart full of pain
I fly, surrounded by love.