I Cry Silently For That Woman

I CRY SILENTLY FOR THAT WOMAN

When I dare to let my mind wander
Back to the past when I was so weak,
It amazes me now to ponder
Why my heart did not totally break.

Beaten down and humiliated,
Bloody and bruised at any excuse
I only prayed to God and waited
For delivery from such abuse.

I was young and could not understand
How such dreadful cruelty could be found
In our marriage; I gave him my hand
When love and desire seemed to abound.

I could not cry out, I could not tell
My friends and family of such pain.
I lied to all of my living hell,
Kept it hidden, with nothing to gain.

I could not bear to admit my shame,
Invite pity, or retribution.
From loved ones who would protect my name
I only longed for absolution.

When he came close to taking my life
I came to feel only despair,
Living a lie as an abused wife
Is not any kind of life to share.

He damaged my body, not my soul
I cry silently for that woman.
Now I am safe and my life is whole
Thanks to all my blessings since then.