Meeting him made me smile.

Casual country charm,

rugged looks,

a gentleman's manners,

soft spoken,

similar interests,

daily courtship,

married within the year

 

An argument a month or so before the wedding was telltale.

His snake like tongue,

his horrible choice of words,

I threw my ring back at him,

should never have made up with him.

I should have run, but I didn't.

 

A couple of newlywed years

then baby made three

and then fourth

I remember, at the time, not wanting more.

 

He'd put his hands on me - around my throat - before the first child

should have run.

 

He was controlling,

or at least he tired to be.

 

He isolated me,
and then the family.

 

His snake like tongue

a near constant assault.

 

He hit me - I was nine months along with the third baby.

Hours later I assured him it was his last.

 

I made my plans to get free,

it took time, but alas I filed for divorce

hid the kids and myself for a while ... three years or was it four.

 

He drug the court hearings out

but my resolve was stronger than he thought.

He did not win.

 

It is final.

It is done.

It is over.

My maiden name and me in tack.

 

The kids and I can breathe now.