I wrote this poem as draft lyrics for a song writing workshop I attended this month (January 2025). One of my fellow participants has indicated an interest in seeing what he can do with these lyrics (or some rendition). The subject is a woman who lives with abuse and who is returning to life with the abuser – something that occurs many times as the victim faces so many barriers in the desire to leave.
Back again
Refrain
Here I am knocking on my door
Even knowing what there is in store
It’s like being a ball on a yo-yo string
Being drawn back into the king
Verses
I live my life with fear and pain
No one sees the hidden chain
Minute controls and daily threats
Fear of more and nightly sweats
The more I give the more I take
Life with a bully means I have to fake
Fake that I love him and want for more
Nothing more than being his little whore
People wonder and so do I
Why I stay and don’t say bye
I fear the unknown; it’s like I’m stuck
Only alive for this evil schmuck
There’s lots of reasons in my way
Why when I leave, I cannot stay
So here I am back with him again
It’s not a question of if; only when
One more time I live in hope
Give me strength so I can cope
I can’t take this life anymore
It’s the last time I’ll be at this door