Did you think we didn’t notice when he smashed your body and heart to pieces?
Did you think we didn’t notice as you waited by the window, hoping he would return, repent, give her up and lower his fists?
Did you think we didn’t notice the utter despair when you found the unpaid bills and empty bank accounts?
Did you think we didn’t notice the depths you had to go to, to find the courage to chase away the bailiffs, and the thugs and face the reality you had been left with?
Did you think we didn’t notice when the threats arrived and you incessantly checked the doors were locked and the kids were safe, lest those threats came true?
Did you think we didn’t notice when you shook with fear when the door went or the phone rang, but you answered them anyway, ready to fight your corner no matter what?
Did you think we didn’t notice when your hands were red from toil, your body weak from exhaustion, and your mind numb from pain?
Did you think we didn’t notice your shattering grief when the children cried for you, but you had no choice but to leave and work the double shift again, to keep a roof over your head and food on the table?
Did you think we didn’t notice the excruciating pain of betrayal when your love was taken, smashed, and then used to attack you, time and time again?
We noticed.
We noticed every single cut.
We noticed every single bruise.
We noticed every single humiliation.
We noticed every single sacrifice.
We noticed every single minute of grief.
We noticed the herculean amount of courage, fortitude, and resilience that you found when another failed you, your children, and themselves, beyond that which cannot be expressed by words alone.
But most of all, we noticed what a completely amazing human being you are.
These words are dedicated to every single survivor of physical, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse and one in particular who will remain nameless, but I do hope recognises herself in these words, inspired by and dedicated to her, always.
With so very much love
Nik x
