The secret of abuse

I have seen the fear in punched black eyes

The tears that sting

The words that won’t come out

The urge to tell someone

But the circulatory pounding heads

Telling them that keeping quiet will benefit

Even though silence is making it worse

I would rather see mouths open

Telling instead of yelling

I would rather see eyes

Drying instead of crying

But I have penetrated emotions

And shaking me off will be hard

I know of sealed lips

Promised to be kept zipped

And if they let out what shouldn’t be told

That consequences will unfold

That black and blue mark?

Those traumatized minds?

Within their keeper

A secret lies

Pushing at their chest

Wanting to emerge

Wanting it to stop

And wishing to be heard.