I was naive
and I was hurt
     physically
     emotionally
     mentally
over and over
    and did not know
how to stop it.

I thought I was the cause
  I was to blame.
I couldn’t separate myself
    from the circumstance
        of abuse
until one day
    it was almost
too late.

   One last beating
and God’s voice
       firmly guiding
   me to survive.
       I listened.
I followed.
       I lived.