Walking away

I used to look with pity at the women on the news there bruised and battered faces lashes matted with tears dirty little children hugging her scraped and bloody knees I used to wonder why they stayed why they just wouldn't leave I used to be angry when I saw thw children cry But then one day I saw myself in the mirror My daughter on my hip black and purple on my eye sticky red blood on my nose It wasn't the first time but it was the last I don't really know why I stayed all those times But I know that I did I kept telling myself I promised unconditional love It wasn't right to walk away The times that I wanted to he was always to near He tried to kill my body One small blow at a time That wasn't what bothered me the most when he tried to kill my spirit Slapping my feelings And stinging my pride Twisting my mind Taking away my choice That is when I stood up I grabbed my daughter Heaving her across my pregnant belly Walked out the door not knowing where I was going For my courage I was rewarded My life is good My children safe My new husband a saint I still have pity for all the women who cry themselves to sleep who fear for thier children and who don't yet know how to leave my mother was one of those and then me what got me to go was wanting more for my children my daughter to know real love my son to know how to be a man children live what they learn and learn what they see so in the end it wasn't for me but for my children what ever thier reason may be I hope they find it soon