Controlled

• Kirsten Hicks, Grade 9
• Poetry
• 2020

A soft, gentle touch full of beauty, trust and love,
Yet laced with malice. Soon to be destroyed, crushed.
Replaced by violent control.
A tender embrace full of malicious intent,
Designed to gain trust; to make her feel safe, and loved.
Only soon to be betrayed.
Cruel, and yet caring – confusing her heart, mind, soul.
Imprisoning them. Making her stay, controlling
With deception, trickery.
Loved, then brutalised. Was it real affection?
Forced down on her knees; physically oppressed, betrayed.
Constrained into submission.
Stripped of her control, unfit to fight his temper.
She lay still, broken. Not knowing if it was love,
Or if it ever had been.