Trigger Warning:
This poem contains references to domestic abuse, honour-based abuse, sexual violence, and coercive control. Please take care while reading and feel free to step away if you need to. Support is available from Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline and local Women’s Aid groups if any of the content impacts you.
The hidden truths of our society are soon to be revealed
Does this mean her emotional scars will ever be healed?
She was born into a culture where we do not question our deen
Real suffering in the homes are never seen
You don’t get raped by your husband they said
It’s your duty as a wife you made your bed
They said its haram to refuse
But does that mean she consented to be abused?
Everything feels like a chore
She cannot take no more
He beats her till she is swollen and sore
If she tells the kids she will get beaten even more
Fears losing her children and suffers in silence
Not showing sadness but radiance
Puts on her face
Carries on smiling feeling like a basket case
Each time she’s hurt he buys a bag or pair of shoes
She was given this life she didn’t choose
But what about people what will they say
Never get peace from their slander every day
Community only sees materialistic things
They cannot imagine all the pain it brings
She fears beginning a life alone
She’s never had a penny or assets of her own
There seemed no easy way out and no light
Consoling from her family was not so bright
They didn’t want to know, turned a blind eye
It’s not that bad they said, don’t cry
Another day another assault, she tries to leave
He warns her he will follow and find her, not to be naive
Felt like she was in prison waiting for release
Then he adds, I’ll make sure you never get peace
She fears the bad influence he has on her boys’ lives
Felt like daily walking on egg shells and dodging knives
He continued to cheat to make her insecure
Blaming her for his adultery, how much more could she endure?
He loves me, he loves me not
Her head hurts, is it a brain clot?
She feels she is going insane
Why insist on putting her through this pain
The woman in his family knew her abuse
But did nothing. No use
She plucks up courage to tell her dad
He appears to be on her side, she was really glad
She’s forced to return back home
So the children don’t feel alone
They are the best thing could’ve happened in her life
Maybe it was worth all the pain being his wife
Things go back to normality
She realises this is her reality
She reapplies makeup, to hides her bruises
He plays mind games. Hurting her when he chooses
Poorly girl doesn’t know what to do
No one to turn to
Brought shame to her family as a teenage pregnant bride
She smashed all their dreams now it’s hard to break their pride
Another incident
It was definitely no accident
So she leaves and goes to a women’s aid home, never looking back
Carrying all her life belongings in her car easy to unpack
Then he cites her back through a court order
Claims she’s unstable and has a mental disorder
He controls her through her children
No one can see here who’s the victim or the villain
On return to home her reputation is ruined
Her community group are so disillusioned
No woman deserves to endure this amount of pain
Time to make a stance and pursue a case
Showing no fear prepares for all that is left to face
