Escape

We Fought constantly

As mother and Daughter will.

It was my Fault. Period.

Our Lives upended

The fallout? Worse than one would Expect.

I should have taken Action sooner,

After the Bruise, hidden with sunglasses

Or blacking out when he hit me

With the Paint can,

Rendering me unconscious.

I could no longer trudge the Island Jungle,

Fly blindly through the devil’s Triangle,

Navigate the dark Tunnel,

Knowing that my Number could soon be up

And he would turn his anger on my daughter, my Jewel.

I finally did what I Ought to have done years ago.

I testified. I was free!

My daughter, a daddy’s girl

Protected from my Equation of terror,

Hated me for taking her from her papa

To a far Western town,

Breathing in the Delicious fresh air; a new start.

One day our relationship will be good again.

I am Healthy

And I know that I did the right thing,

My daughter will one day understand

And know how to build a healthy relationship.

For now, I will take her rage,

Her tears and silent treatment

Because I know one day

My daughter will forgive me

And be my jewel once again.