Updated date:

Jul 23, 2020

Stop Domestic Abuse - Let the Bruises Show!

Author:

She would not ever "Let the Bruises Show"

After the domestic abuse of a friend got out of hand and the victim was not believed because she would not let the bruises show, she would not let anyone know and when she would not 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, and she told him everything then he and she were blamed for the break-up of her marriage . . . She was told "Go back to your husband and work it out!" by those who could not possible know what she was/had-been going through because she would never let the bruises show and she was good at hiding them too. Linda's new love kept her safe for as long as he could, Then the happiest day of her life was the saddest of his.

She was in hiding until the day came when the divorce papers were to be signed and when she left the lawyer’s office it was then that he followed her.

How delicate the flower - so easily bruised.
William Mat Brown - Photo Collection

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 reason? She did not know

Bruising of the heart will 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

As his intimidation grew

He took away her pride

With brutality in his fist

And evil in his eyes

He seemed to enjoy her cries

As with each blow more love dies

What could any of us do?

To their friends and family

He showed a side that was anything but mean

To her he only showed the beast

No one else could ever 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

Things became so bad she couldn’t stay

Somehow she got the courage to run away

Then the threats to end her life began

And she hid out for weeks on end

An order of protection was denied

Because he said she lied

All she could do was hide

Until the day he said he would set her free

The happiest day of her life

No longer was she the evil man’s wife

Happy as she stopped for the light

He was in he rearview sight

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

Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground

Comments

C E Clark from North Texas on August 05, 2020:

Was reading about Tanya Tucker a couple of weeks ago and discovered that when she was with Glen Campbell he was physically abusive and hit her. She said she hit him right back and it got so terrible they had to separate before someone got seriously injured. Lowered my opinion of Campbell a little bit. He's dead now (died Aug. 8, 2017), so I guess it doesn't matter anymore.

Always a mistake to let disagreements get physical. Things tend to happen during the physical fight that no one could have imagined and the next thing life changes forever -- somebody dies, somebody goes to prison, and the kids end up in fostercare. Better not to start down that road in the first place . . .

Posting this on FB & AH.

Blessings, dear friend . . .

C E Clark from North Texas on May 08, 2020:

Yes,, research and studies know that when things aren't going well, domestic violence increases. With so many people out of work now and scraping to feed their families, it's likely that violence has increased in the home.

It's increased outside the home in some cases too. Why would any sane person carry a gun to the state house to demand lifting of lockdowns? Who are they planning to shoot, and how will that improve the situation if they do shoot someone?

Things are very hard for lots of people right now, especially families with children. I hope this nightmare we're all living will soon be over, but the outlook really isn't good . . .

Hope you are staying safe and well. Blessings dear friend . . .

Posting to AH &N FB.

C E Clark from North Texas on June 29, 2019:

A year from my previous comment many people are convinced the economy is doing great, but if one looks deeper, it is mainly great for the wealthy, the top 1 percenters. Wages haven't risen in years. Most people need several jobs just to squeak by themselves. If they have a family they are really having a hard time.

Some economists are saying the recession has already begun. I guess time will tell. I know rent is through the roof and here just a one bedreem apartment is $600 or more. An efficiency is about the same, and so many people can't afford it.

Even an elder person receiving what is said to be the average SS payment of $1350.00 a month would have a hard time after rent and utilities. Plus Medicare payments are automatically taken out of one's SS check, which a lot of people probably aren't' aware of if they aren't on Medicare.

Then one must buy a suplimental insurance to cover what Medicare doesn't, and together those 2 things are likely at least $300 a month. That leaves $200 a month for food and other necessities after the rent, utilities, and Medicare costs are taken out of the 'average' SS monthly benefit.

So the economy isn't great for a lot of people right now. Talk to some farmers and see what they have to say.

Domestic abuse of women and children is on the rise, and that doesn't begin to address the abuse of homeless people by people who think if they give a homeless person anything at all that they are suddenly entitled to be verbally and sometimes even physically abusive. Hate crimes and abuse of homeless people is a serious problem and it's not only women and children who are abused in this situation.

It seems to me people are getting ruder and nastier in general the last year or so. I'm thinking the example in the WH is contributing to that. I'd be surprised if domestic abuse weren't more prevalent now for the same reason.

Hope you are well. Blessings and hugs dear friend . . .

C E Clark from North Texas on June 28, 2018:

It's a known fact that domestic violence increases when the economy gets bad, people lose their jobs and can't meet their obligations, etc. It's just getting started now -- Trump's recession. Business are being effected adversely by the trade wars and some will end up closing down, laying off many workers who may not even be able to get a minimum pay job anywhere. As more and more people lose their jobs there will be less demand for all businesses and they will start laying off workers. Will be interesting to see what the economy is gonna be like a year from now

Sadly, when parent's can't provide for their children and husband's can't meet their family's financial obligations they get frustrated and angry and depressed. Studies have proven long ago that bad economies encourage more domestic violence. Of course violence solves nothing, but people in financial trouble aren't always rational

I already feel sorry for the children who will be disabled, maimed, and killed, because some moron said,"Trade wars are good! They're easy to win!" And then he started some . . .

Be safe and well. Blessings dear friend . . .

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on June 11, 2018:

Cee, thank you for the comments.

I was thinking the same thinking the same thing about beauty and the beast. If he goes to jail, don't be surprised if she disappears, because she could write a tell all book, and it would be a best seller.

Don't be surprised if 1st daughter runs for president.

Hope all is well with you also. Blessings always dear friend.

C E Clark from North Texas on June 09, 2018:

Melania has been out of sight for such a long time! Since the 10th of May. A month tomorrow. She was said to have gone to an official event a couple of days ago, but the press wasn't allowed in. The photos they provided where they said she was in them were taken from such a long distance that they could just as well have been photos of me! No way to identify Melania for sure.

Trump is such an abusive you know what that I would not be surprised to discover he black & blued Melania's face byond recognition cuz of his deep frustrations with trying to be a dictator and it's only partially working for the time being.

When violence is indulged it sometimes goes beyond what one intended and people die. I hope that isn't Melania's fate because of her poor judgment in marrying such a creep.

A couple of days ago the headline on a story about Trump on Yahoo News was: "rump issues false claim about Dems, migrant kids . . .

They seem to make a lot of typos, spelling errors and poor grammar in the news stories on Yahoo News lately, but I think "rump" was an apt description. A politically correct way of saying he's an A-hole.

So anyway, I really hope Melania is OK and not the victim of The Rump.

Hope all is well with you. Blessings and hugs dear friend.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on January 21, 2018:

Patricia, I appreciate your comment and I appreciate the Angels. I hope the lady that you met got help. I knew someone who was an abuser who dared not abuse.

Angels are returning will many blessings and hugs dear friend.

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on January 14, 2018:

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

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on April 30, 2017:

Au fait, thank you for the comment. It is an important issue, I know a man who was abused for all his married life until his death and kept quiet about it. I don't know if it fear of being alone or if he loved his wife that much.

Sorry to hear about the hail damage to your car.

Looks like we will have to sell something to pay for damages to our property. I was so scared yesterday when John was cutting the grass, the town has made the ditch embankment so steep is perilous to cut but John did it and I was afraid he would turn over and I know it would kill him if he did.

Blessings and hugs dear friend.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on April 11, 2017:

Kathleen, thank you for the comment. My mother always said the same thing, but my ex without provocation hit me once and he hit the wall after my chain reaction, he never tried that again.

You are right, no one deserves to be beaten/brow-beaten by anyone and especially the person who supposedly loves them

Blessings my dear friend.

Kathleen Cochran from Atlanta, Georgia on April 10, 2017:

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.

C E Clark from North Texas on April 10, 2017:

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)

Au fait on December 30, 2016:

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 . . .

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on October 30, 2016:

Jennifer, thank you for the comment, and compliment. My ex only hit me one time and may write about that one day but not right now.

I will have to read "Why Does He Do That?"

Blessings my friend.

Jennifer Mugrage from Columbus, Ohio on October 28, 2016:

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.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on October 21, 2016:

Randi, thank you so very much for the compliment and comment, I appreciate you. Let us hope we can stop domestic abuse.

Blessings my friend

Randi Benlulu from Mesa, AZ on October 20, 2016:

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.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on September 15, 2016:

Scott, thank you so much for the comment.

My ex only hit me one time, then the wall. I hope your friend is okay, my friend was not so lucky.

Blessings always

promisem on September 14, 2016:

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 E Shenko (author) from Texas on July 20, 2016:

Beautiful Maria, thank you for the comment and blessings, you are welcome. You are right no one should be abused and all abuse needs to aired in the sunlight exposed, so it will stop even in the darkness.

Blessings and hugs, love you also.

Maria Jordan from Jeffersonville PA on July 17, 2016:

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 E Shenko (author) from Texas on July 15, 2016:

Dear Shauna, thank you for you comments and for sharing, yes show what is happening and let all see what the abusers are capable of.

I remember that "hell no we won't go" when both my brothers went to Vietnam.

I hope "let the bruises show' catches on and the abusers will think twice before hitting anyone.

Blessings and hugs to you my dear friend.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on July 15, 2016:

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"!

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on June 30, 2016:

Yes Nadine, the stories are true, my friend Linda was murdered by her soon to be ex-husband.

Blessings and hugs to you my dear friend.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on June 29, 2016:

RTalloni, thank you for the sympathy and the comment.

I think that your belief is spot on.

Women have been made to feel they are worthless without him

And they will be helpless if he were gone

When they have heard that sermon for so long

Blessings and Hugs dear friend.

NadineMay on June 27, 2016:

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.

RTalloni on June 26, 2016:

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.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on June 26, 2016:

Devika (DDE), I am glad the person you knew got away from the abuse and is now safe from harm.

Hope all is well with you.

Blessings my friend.

DDE on June 25, 2016:

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.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on June 25, 2016:

Dear Frank, thank you for the compliment and for reading about my friend Linda.

Blessings always

Frank Atanacio from Shelton on June 25, 2016:

wow this was so amazing Shyron.. mouth opened, chin dropped amazing

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on June 24, 2016:

John (Jodah), thank you for reading Linda's story. Linda was abused by not only her husband but by everyone who did not believe her and this town's police by refusing to protect her, something they are sworn to do.

Thank you for the comment and compliment on the poetry.

Blessings and hugs my friend.