This article was written by a young person as part of our #YouDeserve: Healthy Relationships Campaign. To find out more about the campaign click here.

This poem was written for TheSprout in 2014 by a young person who had created a series of poems on domestic violence for their English A-Level coursework. We wanted to share it again for the #YouDeserve: Healthy Relationships Campaign.

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By hotchoc

Upon my ribs more purple roses bloom
Precisely planted by a maddened fist
The walls around me have become my tomb
And too familiar scenes of dread; I drift…

A crash, collapse of non-compliant bones,
As raging knuckles glide across my face,
The frantic fist persists, crushing like stone
Eyes are fixed upon me as his limbs chase

And with each strike upon the feeble frame
It squirms and writhes around without control
Each piercing shriek that leaves my lips you claim
I thank the Lord you cannot reach my soul,
For burnt out matches can’t be hurt by flame
And withered souls cannot feel any pain.

Getting help

This article is part of the Healthy Relationships campaign. If you would like to read more about the Healthy Relationships campaign and see more content including information and support for young people’s experiences, click here.

If you want help or advice about relationships, or if there’s anything else worrying you, then you can call Meic and speak to a friendly advisor. Meic is an information and advocacy helpline open from 8am to midnight, 7 days a week, for children and young people aged in Wales.