Ghosts of Winters past

From unloved she must have felt

To an object of utter hatred

Her soul battered black and blue

With words she heard and

Her name said in vain

She bled her tears into her pillow

Each night, followed by dread

Footsteps heard across the hall

Hearing whispering, calling her name

Knocking on her bedroom door

Her pleas ignored at every turn

As she wiped away her tears

Each morning, noon and night

The cycle repeats itself

Maybe there was no way out

Christmas time was the worst

No ‘I love you' no hugs

Gifts meant nothing — never did

Because more than that was needed

A family to call her own

Finally, putting her life back together

While left with all her scars

Her abusers dead and no more pain

Only left with the memories of

Ghosts of winters past

Over 20 years ago my ordeal ended, yet it didn’t really end, because the after effects of trauma last a lifetime!

Anniversaries — Christmas, Birthday etc are the worst!

Self-love, self-care is important!!

Photo Credit:DDP Unsplash