I wrote this poem in October 2021 after a very emotional move that I was on with Shelter Movers Ottawa, an organization that moves and supports survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence and abuse who choose to move forward by leaving their abuser. This move is the one that touched me the most significantly and underlined why we as volunteers did what we did.
I stood on the threshold, the one you had carried me across, A sign of life together after you had captured my heart, Yet now there were only tears of fear and sadness, As I looked at the chaos that once had been our home.
There was nowhere to walk as your stuff was strewn all about, Garbage and dirty dishes on the counter, reflecting a lack of care, Worst of all were the drawings done by our daughter and given from her heart, They now laid torn and trampled, a sign of life torn apart.
I had come with a friend and strangers to gather what was mine, Knowing I could not be alone with you in case you crossed the line, You have stolen so much from me and caused me so much pain, As I look across the room at you, I can only feel disdain.
You cannot even show remorse for what you have said and done, Or say a final sorry for the anguish you have caused, So, I leave the dirty dishes and the tv so important to you, It is time to move forward and do what I must do.
My body yet trembles with fear and loneliness, My heart and life have been torn apart,
I wish I could forgive you but there is now too much in the way, I do pray though that you find peace and perhaps I will forgive one day
As I pack the last box, and cross the threshold to life ahead, I do so with courage and conviction, and no sense of dread, I am strong and will find love from those who care for me, Be they friends or strangers, I am now set free.