Domestic Violence Awareness Month - October

Published: October 2020

Poems About Domestic Abuse

Domestic violence is more prevalent than many realize. People on the outside might not always see it, but far too many people live a nightmare with an abusive spouse or significant other. People are living in fear of the person who is supposed to love them. They are living through situations that bring harm to them physically, mentally, emotionally, and sexually.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and it’s a chance to educate the public about this terrible reality. If you are in an abusive relationship, there is hope for you. You are strong, and you are worth so much more than your current situation. There are people who long to help you. We encourage you to reach out to someone you trust or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233). Someone is waiting to talk to you and help you take the next step to break free from an abusive relationship. We hope that by reading the stories of these poets, you see that you are not alone.

14 Poems About Domestic Abuse

  1. Abuse

    • By Adri
    • Published by Family Friend Poems February 2008 with permission of the Author.

    From the mouth of a woman being abused by her spouse, "I wonder if this is how my life will be from now until I die."

    in Abuse Poems

    He pulls my hair.
    He slaps my face.
    He kicks me on the floor.

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    I can completely relate to your experience. Mine was exactly the same and my thoughts were equal to yours. I was beat 54 separate times and I never could bring myself to call the cops on him....

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  2. Returning Faith

    • By Lynette Gutwein
    • Published by Family Friend Poems April 2011 with permission of the Author.

    I was the victim of domestic violence for 14 years. I am now free and a survivor. Healing takes time. Scars will always remain. Yet I am not held hostage anymore!

    in Abuse Poems

    You took away my innocence,
    My hopes, my dreams, my youth.
    You took from me my very soul.
    What could have been, I never knew.

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    As I read this Poem, it touched me very deeply because I myself can relate to the same situation and there's always HOPE! Thank you for sharing!

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  4. Her Smile (Pantoum)

    • By Tynea Lewis
    • Published by Family Friend Poems June 2018 with permission of the Author.

    This is an example of a pantoum, which is a form of poetry that uses a lot of repeated lines. Too many times I have used my smile to trick people into thinking everything was okay with me, even when it felt like everything inside was falling apart. That is what this poem is about. I tried showing others that I was happy, but there was still something inside of me that continued eating away at that smile.

    in Abuse Poems

    Her smile was visible to all,
    Showing a dark secret
    From an inescapable memory
    Because of the lie she kept telling herself.

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  5. The Monster He's Become

    This is a personal poem which I wrote describing what it is like living in an abusive situation.

    in Abuse Poems

    There was a time he loved her.
    Now it's clear there's nothing there.
    He walks around so flippantly
    With no interest or a care.

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  7. Courage To Leave Abusive Relationship

    • By Misty Wildes
    • Published by Family Friend Poems November 2007 with permission of the Author.

    This powerful poem delves into the heart-wrenching journey of leaving an abusive relationship. It serves as a beacon of strength and courage for those who have found themselves trapped in toxic dynamics. Through heartfelt verses, the poem explores the process of breaking free, finding inner resolve, and embracing a brighter future. With profound insight and emotional depth, it sheds light on the struggles, the resilience, and the transformative power of choosing to leave an abusive relationship.

    in Abuse Poems

    From the depths of despair when my world fell apart,
    I felt all alone and heavy in heart.
    My life had been shattered by a tight-fisted hand.
    Who could I turn to; who'd understand?

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    Featured Shared Story

    Thank you- I am finally away from the abusive relationship I was stuck in. He was charged formally by the state and took a plea deal for the two misdemeanors when he held me against my will...

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    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (9)

  8. Battered Woman

    • By Edelwina Asinas
    • Published by Family Friend Poems April 2009 with permission of the Author.

    This poem is for any woman that's being abused. You can get away, but you just have to have the will to do it. I know because I have been there.

    in Abuse Poems

    Battered woman,
    When are you going to learn?
    He doesn't love you.
    You're on your own.

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    Featured Shared Story

    I am so glad that this poem has touched your heart. This was my life, but I wanted to reach out to the ones who are living my nightmare, hopefully they will be able to take their lives back...

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  9. Running From The Bear

    I once read that abuse causes panic and fear and your body interprets that degree of fear as if you are running from a bear. Continued abuse means you are constantly running. My heart goes out to all of those suffering from any type of abuse.

    in Abuse Poems

    I've spent many years now
    Running from the bear.
    Just when I think you're gone,
    You once again are there.

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  10. Monster

    • By Trisha Ramos
    • Published by Family Friend Poems August 2006 with permission of the Author.

    A victim of domestic abuse cries out in the night.

    in Abuse Poems

    I try to rationalize
    it all
    as you
    tear

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  11. Goodbye To You

    • By Delilah
    • Published by Family Friend Poems July 2017 with permission of the Author.

    I know a very special person who is going through an abusive relationship. I wrote a poem for her the best I could to show her that it is possible to say goodbye.

    in Goodbye Love Poems

    I thought you were so cool.
    Boy, I was wrong.
    I feel like such a fool
    for trusting you so long.

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  12. They Don't Know

    • By Brian E Pardee
    • Published by Family Friend Poems May 2020 with permission of the Author.

    This is about a friend I used to have that had been abused for almost her entire life. She was almost 30 and had seemingly been abused by almost everyone who was supposed to care about her. I watched people who didn't know anything about her treat her like garbage. I used to think, "They don't know any of her past, and if they did, they'd be ashamed they treated her this way." The last line is encouraging any victims to get help and the couplet before it is encouraging the people they ask for help.

    in Abuse Poems

    They don't know
    About struggling through the sleepless nights, anticipating that next big fight,
    About envisioning that same depressing sight, then staring at it until daylight.

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  13. While I Was Bleeding

    • By Tania
    • Published by Family Friend Poems July 2008 with permission of the Author.

    I have lived to tell a story that is not always told. There is so much more that happened prior to the poem. I was abused for one year and nearly died until one person, "a stranger," helped me escape from this man. I almost lost my life while I was being beat. I wish to write a story about this so that people understand that it's not okay and not safe to stay in an abusive relationship. I went through being homeless to no food, to nothing. I am now an owner of a well-known business and have a five-year-old son whom I love dearly, and he has made me forget my past. Whoever reads this, please leave if you're in a abusive relationship. God bless.

    in Rape Poems

    Where do I begin to explain the beating?
    You watched as I sat there bleeding,
    You never cared about my feelings.
    My hurt had no healing.

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    I was abused sexually by an older cousin. He'd put a pillow over my face, tell me to take my nickers off, and then inflict pain on my private areas. He told me he'd kill my brothers, mam, and...

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  14. Cover Girl

    • By Jasmine Rankin
    • Published by Family Friend Poems March 2013 with permission of the Author.

    I wrote this poem during a rough time in my life. I was this cover girl, covering scratches, bruises, busted lips, and more. I had to realize that I was just disguising the marks, not taking them away. I also learned no matter how proficient I became at hiding scars, some scars could never hide nor go away.

    in Abuse Poems

    You can cover it with makeup,
    foundation caked on,
    but you can't cover the hurt;
    you can't hide the wrong.

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  15. Eternal Sleep

    • By Raige
    • Published by Family Friend Poems October 2007 with permission of the Author.

    A gripping poem from the victim of abuse.

    in Abuse Poems

    A burning passion,
    An internal rage,
    A wounded animal
    Chained in a cage.

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    Featured Shared Story

    This poem reminds me of a little boy killed by his father and stepmother. His name was Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. RIP Arthur, you did not deserve what happened to you.

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  16. I Long For My Escape

    I have lived with domestic violence for many, many years. I have grown old in it. Lately, things have been particularly difficult, so I decided to write about it.

    in Abuse Poems

    Lately when I wake each day,
    The sunlight hurts my eyes,
    And when I think of yesterday,
    I want to just curl up and cry.

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