Did It Hurt? by Deanna Blackburn, Grade 12
Did it hurt?
Watching my light dim
As my faint heartbeat grew softer
And my love grew from fear
Did it hurt?
Your hands punishing my skin
Sending shockwaves down my bones
Until I could barely breathe
Did it hurt?
The nights you sweetly slept
When rivers ran from my eyes
Crying out in hopeless agony
Did it hurt?
After you stole my soul from me
Covering my pleas to stop
As your eyes stayed locked - away
Did it hurt?
Your controller buttons clicking
My hands aching as I wrote
To save you from late nights I saw
Tell me, Did it hurt?
The day you found my cage empty
Bent bars - bloodied and scratched
Showing you my pained escape
Yes, it hurt.
You said when you came back
Into my new, loving home
With my old cage in hand
Yes, baby, it hurt.
You cooed as your hands found me
Holding my heart close
The cold bars hugging my body
Yes, I love you.
My home leaked silently
Watching your lies seep through
You're hurting him again.
We hurt.
My new home is gone.
I love you - I'm sorry.
I'll never leave again.