Bruised Sky

Bruised Sky

Looking upward
I see the blue-grey
evening sky
sprinkled
with peppered clouds
Beautiful 
in its color coordination
But reminding me
of the ugly secret
 
The creaminess
of my skin
mottled with
blue-grey bruises
getting darker
like the sky
turning purple
and yellow
like the sinking sun
 
The night comes
and envelops me
in its darkness
Suffocating
My own words
ringing in my ears
as usual
It is my fault
It is always my fault

 
Copyright (c) 2020 Christine Bolton – Poetry for Healing
All Rights Reserved

Grace is hosting Open Link Night at D'Verse Poets

Please Note:  This poem is not about me.  It is
written based on a conversation I had with someone
last week who is a survivor of domestic abuse.

Photo by 辰曦 on Unsplash



  38 comments for “Bruised Sky

  1. October 18, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    This so scary… the color of the sky and the skin… I hope it’s all the past.

    • Christine Bolton
      October 19, 2020 at 6:57 pm

      The person who inspired me is still healing from it 😢

  2. October 17, 2020 at 8:19 am

    Ouch, that beautiful, true and hurtful for those of us who survived. 💜
    It also put on of the worst things abusers do on stark display. Blaming the victim. Putting the blame where it belongs is still a struggle.
    Thank you for giving voice to a survivor! 🌹

    • Christine Bolton
      October 17, 2020 at 10:10 am

      Thank you Red. The stories are always heartbreaking and my heart goes out to you too. 🥰

  3. October 17, 2020 at 8:16 am

    So sad to read this but it is a reality with others. That kind of darkness can be suffocating.

    • Christine Bolton
      October 17, 2020 at 10:59 am

      Yes indeed, a reality for many. To listen to someone’s story will stop you cold in your tracks. How cruel we can be as humans. It is shocking.

  4. Christine Bolton
    October 16, 2020 at 7:29 pm

    Oh gosh yes, the ones that never really heal 😢

  5. October 16, 2020 at 6:48 pm

    There are deep psychological bruises as well. So hard to break the cycle. (K)

    • Christine Bolton
      October 17, 2020 at 10:57 am

      Oh gosh yes, the ones that never really heal 😢

  6. October 16, 2020 at 6:01 pm

    So vivid. And often hidden, sadly.

    • Christine Bolton
      October 16, 2020 at 7:26 pm

      Thanks Ken. Yes often hidden 😢

  7. October 16, 2020 at 5:51 pm

    There is a beauty in the words and then very powerful realisation of how bruised and abused someone’s life can be.

    • Christine Bolton
      October 16, 2020 at 7:25 pm

      Yes it is very hard to hear and yes, the realization how cruel life can be for some, even more sad.

  8. October 16, 2020 at 12:18 pm

    Oh..That hit home. I don’t like this one. Not the work, its the message. I knew someone in a relationship like that. It didnt end well. So damn glad this isnt you.

    • Christine Bolton
      October 16, 2020 at 7:22 pm

      Thank you Darnell. No, not me. Such a sad story. I’m sorry to hear about your friend.

  9. sanaarizvi
    October 16, 2020 at 8:25 am

    This is heartbreaking… you pen eloquently the emotional trauma which occurs in such situations.. sigh.. 🙁

    • Christine Bolton
      October 16, 2020 at 8:33 am

      Thank you Sanaa. You are very kind. 😌

  10. October 16, 2020 at 7:46 am

    A poignant view into the tragedy (and misplaced guilt) of abuse, Christine!

    • Christine Bolton
      October 16, 2020 at 8:32 am

      Exactly Lynn. Misplaced guilt is true and a hindrance to healing 😢

      • October 16, 2020 at 11:42 am

        It’s NOT your fault!

      • Christine Bolton
        October 16, 2020 at 7:21 pm

        That’s right, if wasn’t her fault but she had been beaten into thinking it was. Heartbreaking 😢

  11. October 16, 2020 at 6:20 am

    Sad and poignant, I would think there have been more incidences this year.

    • Christine Bolton
      October 17, 2020 at 11:01 am

      Yes Francis. I can only imagine how dreadful that must be for someone who is trapped at home with a. Abuser in the middle of Covid. Extremely sad 😢 Thank you for reading and commenting ☺️

  12. October 16, 2020 at 12:15 am

    Aww Christine! Heartbreaking but beautifully written.

    • Christine Bolton
      October 16, 2020 at 8:30 am

      Thank you dear friend ☺️❤️🥰

      • October 16, 2020 at 9:13 am

        My pleasure, dear. 😊❤️

  13. October 15, 2020 at 10:07 pm

    Oh so poignant and sad!

    • Christine Bolton
      October 15, 2020 at 10:15 pm

      Indeed it is sad Sadje. Thank you 😢

      • October 15, 2020 at 10:50 pm

        You’re welcome 😉

  14. October 15, 2020 at 9:38 pm

    This is heartbreaking, but indeed well written about the tragedies of domestic violence.

    • Christine Bolton
      October 15, 2020 at 10:14 pm

      Thanks Lucy. Yes it was hard to hear about it 😢

  15. October 15, 2020 at 8:57 pm

    A very well written poem… sad to realize abusive relationships are continuing.

    • Christine Bolton
      October 15, 2020 at 9:45 pm

      Thanks Dwight. Sadly it will never stop 😢

      • October 15, 2020 at 10:28 pm

        :>( Sad!!

  16. October 15, 2020 at 8:49 pm

    Wow, what a powerful metaphor! A sad story though, especially because it is based on something real.

    • Christine Bolton
      October 15, 2020 at 9:43 pm

      Thank you. Yes, it is so sad 😢

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