Hostels,refuges sound daunting i know,
They're not only there for physical abuse,
How much more before you decide to go.
They understand you feel confused.

No marks to show for the pain your in,
Can't remember when it started,
Mental abuse when did it begin?
So much verbal,your now hard hearted.

He will always find a way to put you down,
Friends advice is easy for them to say,
In front of his friends your a clown,
They don't live with him  at end of day.

Constantly shouts at you in front of the children,
Seems he doesn't realise his words hurt,
Freinds say he's a comedian.
Mind games he is an expert.

How many apologies could he possibly use,
Making that break is hard enough,
His next breath intimidating verbal abuse.
The hostel staff understand it's being tough.

Tough enough to leave everything behind,
You've been through a great ordeal,
Take your time and the space to unwind.
Mental bruising takes longer to heal.

They're not there to interfere or tell you what to do,
When i was there due to mental abuse,
Accept the help that is there for you.
I felt i was the one stood accused.

Left the man who controlled my life,
Trusting people i didn't know
Took the children out of that daily strife,
My lack of confidence began to show.

After a while i began to feel okay,
To the extent i enroled at college,
Opened up a little more day by day,
Credited for my hidden knowledge.

Although it was hard, i look back and see,
It was the best move i made for the kids and me..