Stop Domestic Abuse - Let the Bruises Show!
She Never Let the Bruises Show
After the domestic abuse of a friend got out of hand and the victim was not believed because she never let the bruises show, and when she did speak out about the threats made on her life, she was denied an 'order of protection' by the Police.
When she found someone who did believe her, he and she were blamed for the break-up of her marriage...She was told "Go back and work it out!" by those who could not possible know what she had/was going through because she never let the bruises show.

Stop the Abuse - Let the bruises show
She tried so hard to remember
When the abuse began
It started so slow she did not know
Verbal bruises do not show
At first they were insulting hateful words
Her self-esteem torn down
For what? She did not know
Bruising of the heart does not show
Then from the first strike he told her
“See what you made me do?”
And if you tell your kids
They will not believe you
Especially when I tell them about you
With makeup, hats and long sleeved shirts
She hid the bruises from our view
But her closest, dearest friends all knew
When an order of Police protection was denied
What could any of us do?
To her friends and family
He showed a side that was anything but mean
To her he showed the beast
No one else could know
Because she didn’t let the bruises show
He told her she will rue the day
If she should ever walk away
And he would make her dearly pay
She turned her pretty face away
On the 31st day of May
She did not have to look at him
As he took her life that day
Let the Bruises Show
Linda Martin left a legacy of love
For everyone she knew
Honor her memory
Stop the abuse and let the bruises show
Let the Bruises show
Don’t enable the abuse to grow
Let your friends and loved ones know
Find a safe place to go and let the bruises show
Reach out to others
To help you through the pain
When your love can’t stand the strain
And you can no longer hold the reins
Let the bruises show
Don’t share the abuser’s blame
Don't let your silence hide their shame
Let the bruises show
How can you stop the bleed?
Get the abuser the help they need
Don’t hide the pain
Let the Bruises show
Stop the verbal before the physical abuse can start
With your words you can expose
The scars upon your heart
Those scars are very real…Scars no one else can see or feel
Unless you let the bruises show
No one else will ever know
© 2016 Shyron E Shenko
Comments
So powerfully stated Shyron. It is heart breaking to know that some endure this abuse in silence. When I was the Parenting specialist (funny title...how anyone can specialize in parenting is something I never figured out) a young woman came in the the Parent Center bruised obviously bruised and with lumps on her arms and face. She did not deny what was happening but refused to get out of the situation. Before too many weeks after that the family suddenly moved. So I never knew what happened to her. But it took my breath away to see her. Thank you for giving a voice to the voiceless .....many Angels are headed your way dear lady ps
My mother always said, if he will hit you once, he will hit you again. My daughter's ex was emotionally abusive. I've sometimes wished he'd hit her. It would be easier to prove. Either way, no one deserves this treatment from someone who was supposed to love her.
Glad to see this article made Letterpile. It's an important issue and for a long time HP didn't like people to write about it. That seems to have changed and that's a good thing. Discussion will often assist in resolving these issues and so it's important not to forbid them.
I'm glad you chose to write about this issue because the more daylight it gets the quicker it is likely to end.
Hope all is well with you. Not sure if I mentioned it previously, but the hail on Monday night a week ago broke my windshield. Have an area about 8" in diameter that I'm lucky it didn't break clear through and it will not pass inspection as is. Was attacked by a speeding shopping cart and a trash can that was turned into a missile last week Wed. night Aril 5. Wind was at least 70 mph during that storm. But I survived it.
Hope you and John and Chipper are well. Blessings dear friend . . . (Sharing this on FB)
I do think people should face these situations head on and not try to sweep them under the rug. It's long past when these things should have ended, but it seems there are some people who only know physical violence to settle their disagreements.
Glad you are shedding light on this problem of domestic abuse and violence. It needs to end permanently. People need to learn other means to settle differences. Dignified adult means, not mean childish ones.
Blessings and hugs to you both. Take care . . .
This is terrific. I am glad you are raising awareness.
I have never been in an abusive relationship but I read "Why Does He Do That?," and I felt like I was going crazy just reading it. It is such a detailed description of an abuser's mind, tactics, and why it is so hard to let the bruises show.
How heartbreaking! What beautiful poetry you write. I'm so sorry for your loss. It is terribky hard to let the bruises show but as long as there are safe places and people to support, hopefully more people will be comfortable to speak up.
Someone very close to me was abused by her boyfriend. If it happens just once, head for the door and don't look back. Don't assume it will never happen again.
Shyron,
This is heart breaking yet bless you for raising awareness and 'talking' about abuse out loud. No one should be hurt - ever.
Love you and holding you in my heart, Maria
Shyron, this is very powerful. "Let the bruises show" should become a world-wide mantra, just as "hell no, we won't go" became one during the Viet Nam war.
I'm sharing this piece to get the word out and to have every citizen shouting "let the bruises show"!
Sorry but my name does not come up unless I sign in again. Tried that before with untold hassle, so I better reply in this way.
Gosh Shyron it your poem was the result of a true story, then I hope the abuser of the first poem got a Jail sentence.
For the suffering and consequential loss of your friend I am very sad, but I am glad you are speaking up on her behalf for the sake of others. I have come to believe that women think it is not worth the risk to speak up against an abuser. If she is not protected by others, she may wind up having to go home with him at the end of the day. Thank you for writing the poems and putting this hub together as a tribute to your friend. Yes, let the bruises show.
I knew of someone who battled for many years with her husband. He beat her and ruined her life. After some she left him and that changed her a lot for the best. An issue that needs a lot of attention because many victims in such cases are still silent about their abusive relationships.
wow this was so amazing Shyron.. mouth opened, chin dropped amazing
Domestic abuse is on the rise in our country as well, Shyron. It is a travesty and needs to be brought out into the open and the perpetrators exposed.. let the bruises show. This poetry is wonderful. Thank you for sharing Linda Martin's story.
A poignant tribute to Linda. If women would only educate themselves to realize how these situations usually develop . . . first the verbal abuse often out of the blue, and for no reason. Then maybe a little slap or throwing something at you with intention of creating fear, if nothing else at first, but that also escalates, and before you know it you are living a nightmare 24/7.
So well written. No one could have expressed it better. I understand exactly what you are saying. It's so important to get out of these relationships as quickly as possible and to let the bruises show even the first time so that people will know. Better yet to leave before there are bruises.
Bless you for shedding daylight on this horrible situation that is no doubt like so many others we will read about on the obituary page until we make it stop. Take care . . .
Dear Shyron,
This is a sad reality for far too many women today. Thank you for bringing awareness via your powerful poem about a beautiful life lost.
I agree ...let the bruises show!
A young wife and mother of a small child (boy) was killed a couple of years ago just three miles up the road from my small town in another small town. The entire community is in shock. The husband/father was enraged that his young wife was filing for divorce and custody of their small child. His family is well known in our county. The young wife drove to her workplace (a doctor's office) and pulled up in front of the office, with her enraged husband following right behind her. He had a gun and when the young wife had gotten out of the car and attempted to run inside the doctor's office, he shot her in cold blood and told her coworkers that they better go inside if they didn't want to see it happen. Now, the small child will grow up without his loving mother and no father. The young father has yet to exhibit any remorse. To top that off, the parents of the father are wanting custody of the child ...so sad. The young mother's parents have custody at the moment.
It breaks my heart to read about your lovely friend and know of many others who have suffered the same fate.
God bless you.
Will share everywhere.
We must never be silent, tell everyone, lesve snd msybe they can get the help they need. Thank you for this article, so many women need to read it. Stella
Thought provoking and disturbing.
Hello Shyron. This is a sad, yet common event. I agree that not being silent is the path to take. The loss, of your friend, weighs heavy on you. You honor her.
This is a must for all to read
An abuser strikes again and again watching her bleed
First it's the words that cut like a knife
Then the fists break and bruise, sometimes taking her life
When I see bruising day after day
I ask, " What happened? " She looks away
This happened to a sister of mine
She left him time after time
Only to return when he begs and pleads
Promising to never again commit these horrible deeds
Thank God she left him before it was too late
She lived to love again, knowing only goodness from her soulmate.
I'm so sorry for your loss of a friend, Linda. God bless...Hugs.
Thank you Shyron for shedding more light on this terrible epidemic. Our sweet Linda will never be forgotten. Let her story be heard so maybe many other lives will be saved.
This is so important. Having a loved one who recently left her husband because he threatened to kill her and her kids, I fully endorse speaking out and not protecting the abuser by keeping the violence secret. Secrets thrive in the dark. My loved one's husband has made threats to drown their toddler, call a family meeting then shoot her and the 3 kids execution-style and fake an emergency by dialing 911 then shooting first responders. He is an executive, Boy Scout leader, regular church goer and mentally ill (non compliant with medication). She has her work cut out for her. She has faced disbelief and blame by the legal system and even some friends who know have made themselves suddenly scarce. I urge anyone who is facing this situation to get help immediately and for the rest of us to donate to our local women's shelter.
Shyron......This takes my breath away. Domestic abuse is a cancer on our society, a destroyer of families. We are all involved and must be part of the solution. Be aware, alert and step in if we must. The isolation, fears and "cover-ups" must stop. Believe the woman, listen to them, protect them and especially the children.
Zero tolerance for abuse, neglect & violence. Thank you Shyron for this important work and may Linda's memory fuel our resolve! Peace, Paula
It's such an ugly epidemic in this country. Only by raising awareness and bringing this sickness out of the closet and into the light of day can we make this go away. Well done, my friend.
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