The Body Fights Back
Words By Vanessa Berrio, Art By Hailey Renee
Content warning: physical abuse
Agonizing screams for me to STOP!
Shall fall on ears the mind has told for years “I will not”
I watch as soft supple pale skin is caressed by sunlight
Simple elation energizes buoyant spirals that dance, take flight
Beautiful big eyes, glassed gazes, waterfall Innocence
That which is unforeseen lest prepared am I to recompense
Face is barricaded, pressure pinned, and beaten
I wait as these boys wreak havoc; satisfied, eaten
Bruised the lights; warmth begins to retreat frozen
Molded we become by hatred long woven
I watch as frustration, anger, overwhelmed sentiments divest
Throwing fists up, bright red and yellow hues manifest
Shocked, abused, stung swelling
Rivers run without a sound mind quelling
Yet heavy hands fall hard on porcelain
Memories seared branded distortion
Once, twice, thrice over in silence
Hit just hard enough; no evidence of violence
Limbs directed; harsher words never spoken
Act now or soon I’ll be far too broken
Body over mind, war rages
Listened not for paralysis built me cages
Wean I will grow in stages.