The Darker Side of Goodbye©

The Darker Side of Goodbye©

Copyright 2014

By Felina Silver Robinson

You said you’d never leave me

But when your back was turned

and your eyes were closed

I had no choice

But to change the locks on the doors

To the house we shared for so long

Together

We broke the foundation

We laid every brick

We built every wall

We hosted painting parties

and we picked all the furnishings

It became the place anyone one would be proud to call their own

As days went by

The bills were mounting

You worked long hours into the next morning

We became ships passing in the night

The scarce amounts of times we’d get to say hi

Tore holes in all we had come to be

We spent countless hours fighting instead of loving

Both of us lonely and wanting more

Tired of bill collectors calling for you daily

You became dark and removed from all you once were

No longer the man I could love

The kisses I use to long for

Are locked up in the abuser you’ve now come to be

No more hugs

Just beatings from a bully

Who’s mad at anyone but me

But I’m the only one you can reach for

So as you sleep I change the locks

On every door

I alarm the windows

And

When you leave in the morning for the day’s work ahead

You close the door behind you

Not realizing it would be the last time

You’d open or close them to get to me

Even sober you’re no longer who or what you use to be

It’s time for me to move on

Hopefully to find the better part of me

This darker side of goodbye is starting to kill me

Fearful of each step I take

Hoping not to find you on the other side of the gate

My eyes are bulging and full of fright

No more will I live on

The Darker Side of Goodbye

Trapped by your violence

Trapped by you regret

Trapped by your self loathing

I’m free and on my way

To being me once again

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The Darker Side of Goodbye©

Copyright 2014

By Felina Silver Robinson

This poem is written for all those who

have found themselves in a domestic violence relationship.

Your life is worth more and you those you love deserve better.

Life is meant to be lived without fear.