Abuse Poem

Poem By A Survivor Of Childhood Sexual And Physical Abuse

Hi, My name is Melissa Marie Young and I live in Heath, Ohio.
I am 27 years old and I started writing poetry when I was just 10 years old. The physical and sexual abuse I went through as a child is what inspired me to write poetry. I was left alone in my room a lot and had nobody to talk to about how I was feeling. So I started writing poetry expressing my feelings. Now I write about my life, as well as other poetry too. I hope to become a famous poetry writer one day.

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I wrote this poem almost 4 years ago. Since then, I have become a stronger woman. BOTH people who hurt me are now diseased. (Bob, cancer) I also learned I put an end to the sexual abuse not...

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The Abuse

Melissa M Young ©

Published by Family Friend Poems August 2013 with permission of the Author.

When I was five and I remember
when a person became my dad.
His name was Bob and he was rough,
and I heard that he was bad.

First came all the yelling,
when I cried, He'd look and smirk.
Then came throwing me across the room
when he saw that it didn't work.

When I wasn't hungry
for not even a piece of bread,
the rule was "eat it or wear it"
and I had gravy on my head.

My parents always slept all day
which I thought was really cool.
I didn't worry about the beating
when I first came home from school.

In school the kids made fun of me
but they didn't even know.
That compared to life at home
it didn't make me low.

As I thought, but should have known,
how much worse that things could get.
I never heard of this before
and it's something I won't forget.

Sometimes I would try to run
Somewhere where I could hide,
but then came the metal handcuffs
and in no person could I confide.

But I am happy about one thing
one thing got finally stored.
My hands were no longer tied
behind my back with the cord.

This is really bad enough
but there is plenty more.
I was handcuffed to a chair and my bed
as well as the knob of my door.

Bob's dad would take advantage
while I wasn't moving free,
He would go on with the touching
and he started molesting me.

This happened for 6 years
the secret kept so silent,
even though I had the marks
of a childhood so violent.

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!
  • Myla Harris by Myla Harris
  • 7 years ago

Healing is possible... My innocence was stolen but the essence of who I am remains mine for the taking. Have hope.

THE REAL ME
The real me has been sacrificed to protect the family secrets that lurk within us all.
The real me is no longer fearful or scared of what can/will get out.
The real me has always been strong,
Always wondering and questioning,
Those questions have yielded answers from those within the light,
Revealed darkness within those with something to hide.
The real me was used as an object,
Used and disposed of to cover more lies.
The real me remains strong,
Remains principled and loving,
Cries when confronted with pure joy,
And tears up when hurt,
Is no longer a shell of my former innocent self.
I have released myself into the world,
And will no longer allow myself to be backed down,
The real me can protect myself and no longer recognizes her former shell,
The shell that always got in my own way.
The real me is WHOLE.

  • Melissa Marie Young by Melissa Marie Young, Newark, Ohio Poet
  • 7 years ago

I wrote this poem almost 4 years ago. Since then, I have become a stronger woman. BOTH people who hurt me are now diseased. (Bob, cancer) I also learned I put an end to the sexual abuse not only for me, but I learned later that there were two other little girls who were also sexually abused by this same man. The girls were too afraid to step up because of threats made to them too. I finally told, he pleaded guilty and Bob's dad died in prison. Never give up hope. I was threatened for 5 years. I was scared. But being brave made me feel great. We are NOT alone. These people that hurt us like that are very sick. They need to go to prison before they hurt another person. We can save others as well as ourselves. I didn't know he had hurt those two little girls, but it sure felt good to know that he couldn't hurt us again. Even with physical and emotional abuse, TELL SOMEONE. Be brave. It took awhile before I was rescued. I thought I wouldn't make it. Help finally came! Never give up hope!

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