...and I climbed out into a bright new day.

Everything was still the same, except my heart was lighter.
I knew that he would have no more control over me.
My fear of him and of loneliness, rejection and of bitterness...
was lessened.

Each breathe became easier, relaxed.

Each step, more assured.

Each thought, my own.

I think back and wonder how I could have been so foolish, so gullible...so loyal...

The love had left.

Lust was a memory.

He was habit. Nothing more. Everything less.

He diminished me.

I allowed it.

I was denied his most sacred things.

His trust. His respect. His honor. His loyalty.

I got his anger. His lust. His control.

All I wanted was his love.



I was in a cold dark house. All the curtains drawn. Dust covered and musty, the rooms there. I was in a cold dark house.

No one had the key to let me out.

One day the truth of it broke open a window...and I climbed out into a bright new day.