Posted in Prose, Stories

Treasured Scars

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

I was never able to hold my breath long enough to avoid the stench of you. Your slurred, dribbling nonsense turned my stomach.  It was a game you enjoyed.  You would watch my face to see how long it took before I became repulsed. 

In your eyes it was fun; harmless. 

I would watch the anger wash over you as the booze took you away.  You were body-snatched, replaced by a monster.  The monster hated anyone in it’s path.  But the hatred was for itself most of all.  The hate engulfed all and rage was the only outlet. 

It was a cry of pain, a cry of self-loathing, unleashed and lashing out at all of those you came into contact with. 

I was the closest target.  Convenient.  

In the light of day, with pounding head and sweaty palms, you could always justify it.  The sorry’s were meaningless.  The flowers withered like my spirit.  Your caustic soul was revealed again and again. 

I prayed for your salvation and I prayed for your demise.  I prayed for strength, for both of us. 

I packed up my sanity, guarding it carefully and ran.  I didn’t realize that my escaping would open the floodgates to the demons you had hidden from even yourself. 

My freedom is dear to me, paid for with anguish and a piece of my soul.  My sanity, at times precariously balanced on a knife edge. 

The scars I have are treasured things.  They keep me safe.

Copyright (C) 2018 Penny Wilson

Author:

Penny Wilson is a freelance writer who writes in several genres. She has written articles for WOW Women on Writing. Her poetry has been published in online journals, such as Ariel Chart, Spill Words Press and the Poppy Road Review. Penny is a member of the Austin Poetry Society. Her poetry has been featured in the publication America's Emerging Poets 2018 & 2019 by Z Publishing and Poets Quarterly and Dual Coast Magazine published by Prolific Press. Penny is an advocate for Mental Health Awareness and has the page "Mental Health Help" on her blog. She writes about the struggles of mental illnesses and Depression. She is passionate about spreading awareness for Suicide Prevention and Domestic Abuse. She expresses her passion through her writings of poetry and life experiences. You can find more of her writings on her blog at https://pennywilsonwrites.com/ and follow her on Twitter @pennywilson123.

17 thoughts on “Treasured Scars”

    1. Awww, thank you Jess. This was a long time ago. But yes, a part of my past. I just happen to have something spark a memory and this piece was the result of that memory. Thank you Sweet Lady. ❤

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    1. Thanks Audrey. This was a long time ago, but I’ve never written about it. Sometimes “what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger” is a very true statement! Hugs, sweet lady! ❤

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