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. 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.

    I love him so much,
    So I don't have the strength
    To walk right out the door.

    There's blood on my face.
    Everything hurts,
    And all I can do is cry.

    I made him mad,
    So this is what he does.
    I wish I knew his reason why.

    My heart won't let me leave him,
    And it hurts too much to try.

    I wonder if this is how my life will be
    From now until I die.

    He says he's sorry.
    He takes me in his arms.
    He even starts to cry.

    I tell him I forgive him
    And that everything is fine.

    For now at least because I know
    It will happen again in time.

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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. 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.

    Your words would cut me deep inside,
    Deep to the very core.
    Darkness. Cold. I could not feel.
    Why did you hate me so?

    You crushed me as I screamed in pain.
    Your words ripped out my heart.
    The world grew dull. I felt insane.
    Did you ever care about that part?

    Is that what you wanted all along?
    "I win!" "You lose!" A game?
    Control, submission, guilt, defeat.
    Yet, I still remain.

    It was for a child that I lived,
    Although I rather would have died.
    Now, how I thank God for that child?
    Because of her, I have survived.

    I will live in spite of you.
    You no longer have a say.
    My life, my body, my mind, my soul,
    You will never again have control.

    Whether in this world or in the next,
    Justice will have a way.
    You hurt me and you almost won,
    But, "You Lost!" I have to say.

    A new dawn breaks of hope and peace,
    Of happiness and grace.
    From me, these things YOU CANNOT TAKE.
    My head held high, I walk by faith!

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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. 3. 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.

    Showing a dark secret,
    The light was dimming
    Because of the lie she kept telling herself.
    She tried to push the pain aside.

    The light was dimming
    From an inescapable memory
    She tried to push the pain aside.
    Her smile was visible to all.

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  5. 4. 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.

    Through his silence he berates her.
    He flaunts the coldness in his eyes.
    Neither her tortured sobs nor pleading words
    Can make him sympathize.

    To him she's just an afterthought,
    An object to be used,
    A service to be rendered,
    A shattered ego to abuse.

    He's Dr. Jekyll with the world to see
    But Mr. Hyde behind closed doors,
    And each time she tries to rise again,
    He knocks her back down to the floor.

    He has no conscience to control him.
    His heart beats for him alone.
    She's a peasant to his royalty
    As he perches on his throne.

    He's a narcissistic bully
    Who rubs her wounds with salt.
    He degrades, destroys and disregards
    Without a guilty thought.

    But she fears he'll never let her go
    And she knows he'll never change.
    Promises are made and broken
    But his cruelty still remains.

    But time is passing quickly now.
    She's in the twilight of her years
    And it's her hope and consolation
    That her days are numbered here.

    But perhaps when she's no longer there
    For him to just keep beating down,
    He'll see how weak he really is
    When there's no one to push around.

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  7. 5. 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?
    So with no self-esteem and in a broken mess,
    I made a decision about my happiness.
    I took all my courage I could find
    To make a stand for myself and leave him behind.
    Those first few months were the loneliest I've been,
    But I knew it was worth it not to be hit again.
    Again in finding myself, I cried a river of tears,
    Learning to love me and facing my fears.

    Go To Complete Poem

    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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  8. 6. 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.
    The beatings hurt.
    The scars ain't gone,
    But sooner or later,
    Your soul will be torn.
    What's it going to take
    For you to just leave?
    One last hit or until
    You can't breathe?
    Battered woman,
    I know what you're thinking.
    It's your fault for what he's doing.
    You blame yourself
    Over and over again.
    You ask yourself
    Will this abuse ever end?
    He's going to keep doing it.
    It's all up to you.
    You just have to gain the courage
    To move on and start new.
    It's not going to be easy.
    Take it one day at a time.
    The hurt will subside, and you'll finally have
    A peace of mind.

    Go To Complete Poem

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    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. 7. 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.

    Fear grips like a vise
    If you're anywhere around.
    I stay quiet and hidden
    So that I will not be found.

    Overwhelmed by sheer terror
    Of another vicious attack,
    Praying you won't find me,
    But you always circle back.

    Adrenaline is now surging,
    Giving me the strength to flee.
    I run until I can run no more,
    And then you catch up to me.

    Suddenly you're upon me.
    I see the rage in your eyes.
    I try so hard to fight you off.
    I hear your roar above my cries.

    You could do more than frighten me,
    For of your strength I am aware,
    But you let me go once again
    So I can start running from the bear.

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  10. 8. 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
    right through me.

    The monster's back tonight.

    Fueled by alcohol
    and past conversation,
    by rage and
    imagination,
    you've become a beast
    I hardly know
    yet know too well.

    I can't build walls fast enough
    for you.

    All these years have taught you well.

    The assault
    begins,
    you're armed
    with the thoughts
    inside your head,
    barbed words and
    insinuations.

    You leave wounds
    no one sees
    but me.

    The monster's back tonight.

    I can't build walls fast enough.

    I try to rationalize it
    all.

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  11. 9. 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.

    It seemed so perfect at first,
    and our love seemed so true.
    My heart felt like it would burst,
    and it was like I flew.

    But things got bad.
    My friends would often say,
    "This is very sad,"
    as we fought every day.

    I don't like what we've become.
    I feel like I'm in a daze.
    Am I just dumb?
    Because maybe all this is just a phase.

    Then, one day,
    you punched me in the face.
    No way I was going to stay!

    I'm not going to forget this.
    I knew what I had to do.
    I ignored your sorry kiss
    and said goodbye to you.

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  12. 10. 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.

    They don't know
    About him leaving with her jewelry, her food, her savings, her every possession,
    About him leaving with her peace, her trust, her perception of her own reflection.

    They don't know
    About the way he degraded her, the beatings he gave her,
    About the way he enslaved her, how afraid he had made her.

    They don't know
    About the narcissistic mind games, how he purposely planned her misery,
    About the dehumanizing names, how he stripped her of every liberty.

    They don't know
    About the evil she had absorbed for so many years,
    About those desperate screams that preceded the tears.

    They don't know
    About the pain and the sorrow, when a heavy heart can feel hollow,
    About the confusion that will follow just trying to make it til tomorrow.

    They don't know
    About the beautiful person trapped inside this petrified shell,
    About the brave warrior inside that helped her survive this hell.

    They don't know
    About being manipulated in your own home with constant lies and trickery,
    About the overwhelming possibility they'd treat her much differently if they knew her history.

    They don't know
    About treating this like it's your last chance to help, because it might be,
    About treating this like it's your chance to reverse all the pain this girl had to see.

    They don't know
    About the smiles she forces daily so the pain won't show,
    About the fact no one can ever help if they don't know.

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  13. 11. 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.
    Rape after rape, I knew I had to escape, 
    never allowed to look up,
    never allowed to talk.
    You beat me so I couldn't walk.
    I remember the day I almost died.
    You laughed, while I cried.
    You beat me so bad while you cursed out my dad!
    I could never withstand the pain, you are insane!
    You played me like a game..
    This time I win, and you; you have committed a sin.
    When you burn in hell, which time will only tell,
    God will ask you, "Why, why the beating of this woman whom you took to love?
    Did you forget who was watching from above?"
    Remember when I hid under the bed from you, what was I suppose to do?
    You kicked me in my tummy.
    I lost our baby and you thought it was funny.
    You degraded me and put me in dirt.
    You loved to see me hurt.
    Now that I have gotten away through my planned escape,
    I have no more tears or any fears, but the memory will last for years.
    God has blessed me, and now I'm not afraid to see.
    I am brave, brave enough to have a child now,
    brave enough to have found marriage,
    and brave enough to believe in love
    thanks to God above...

    Go To Complete Poem

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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. 12. 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.

    You disguise your eyes
    all black and blue,
    but, Cover Girl, you can't cover
    what that man has done to you.

    You can hide a scratch,
    you can cover up a mark,
    you can pretend he doesn't bite,
    you can pretend he doesn't bark.

    But some scars can't be made over.
    The ones that are already invisible to the eye
    are the ones that will remain the longest,
    not wanting to say goodbye.

    Cover Girl, your work
    would put a good makeup artist to shame,
    but you work your magic for protection
    not fame.

    You want to hide the pain you feel
    when you see the bite, the bruises, the marks,
    but girl that makeup
    cannot cover what he's done to your heart.

    It's all tattered and torn,
    your self worth all gone,
    second guessing yourself,
    thinking everything you do is wrong.

    You monitor your breaths,
    you count your steps.
    You even count the minutes,
    wondering how much time is left

    Before your foundation, your concealers,
    your blush, and your creams
    can no longer hide the punishment
    and no longer remove the screams.

    Just remember some scars can't be made over.
    The ones that are already invisible to the eye
    are the ones that will remain the longest,
    not wanting to say goodbye.

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  15. 13. 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.

    Purplish bruises
    Outlined her smooth skin.
    She cowered, afraid,
    As the pain burned within.

    A fist to her ribs,
    Cold words in her ear.
    Eyes dark and distant
    Held unyielding fear.

    Shoved and hit hard,
    Bruised bones oh so frail.
    The dark abyss
    Of emotional hell.

    Weakened knees gave way
    As she fell to weep
    And closed her eyes
    Praying for eternal sleep.

    Go To Complete Poem

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    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. 14. 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.

    It seems that life is getting harder,
    My sense of loneliness extreme,
    My sadness more disabling,
    And the abuse now more routine.

    I've discovered a reality
    That has consumed my very life,
    Which is sometimes even breathing
    Can become a constant fight.

    There are moments so exhausting
    From the internal, chronic pain,
    That death itself seems like a blessing
    Because living life's become my bane.

    I thought that age would garner needed peace,
    A final freedom for my soul.
    But instead, the chaos and the conflict
    Have grown worse as I've grown old.

    It seems that some of those bad choices
    That I made along the way
    Remain with me just like my shadow
    And will chase me to my grave.

    It only takes one other person
    To change your life into a hell
    And make your home a ceaseless battlefield
    Rather than the haven where you dwell.

    My compassion and my tolerance
    Proved my most pathetic traits.
    They were my vices hiding in disguise
    That led me to my wretched fate.

    I believed in love and people changing.
    I overestimated my own skills.
    I thought that I could transform anyone
    Through my sheer intellect and will.

    Now it's far too late for changes now
    The Monster's reached his grandest scale
    And compared to him in all his glory,
    My aged strength and weapons pale.

    But I discovered an advantage,
    Which I hope to master soon.
    Providing that this nightmare
    Doesn't render me a hopeless loon.

    I now accept my dreary prison,
    And I accept there's no escape.
    I accept that through this misery
    My heart and soul I may forsake.

    I have discovered that one's death can come
    Even when their heart is beating
    And that instead of fighting back sometimes
    The wiser move is in retreating.

    I will stay silent and invisible.
    I won't challenge or debate.
    I'll play possum for my enemy
    And perhaps I will stay safe.

    At last, my fate will rest with God above
    And my perdition will be done
    Whether the Monster meets his just defeat
    Or my own eternal rest will come.

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