Scars -a bloody unwanted reminder

Jun 10

Posted by

Writing prompt -Scars

One scar I have is huge – it almost wraps all the way around my upper wrist -it is 2-3 cm wide.  Indented, It reminds me of a dried upriver.

The cause?

Domestic violence.

Before I continue…

Domestic abuse & Toxic relationships

Rape -NO means NO.

I’m going to state the obvious here.

Domestic violence is a relationship fucks about with your mental health, whether you love the person or not.

Toxic relationships have usually tipped me over into using shitty coping mechanisms like drinking too much, taking drugs, overdosing and not managing my medication or my eating disorder and Bipolar.

So back to the blood river scar.

One night- no

Another night of heavy drinking and arguing, I found me in a house -not mine- that looked like a slaughterhouse. all dirty browns. There was a rusty scent of blood impossible to ignore.

Every time I inhaled, the scent would drip down the back of my throat like a  tap -I could taste it too.

I  had mixed copious amounts of alcohol with my medication and all I remember is trying to push my ex away with my left hand ( I am left-handed), he grabbed my arm and I struggled back.

BLACKOUT

 An image.

An arm.

 a massive shard of re-enforced window glass- barbered-   poking out of my right arm.

Another image.

the back of my exes legs and back running up the stairs.

PANIC 

BLOOD

DRINK

VODKA

WHERE IS THE ORANGE JUICE?

WHERE IS THE GLASS?

WHERE IS MY EX?

BLOOD 

DRIP

BLOOD 

DRIP

BLOOD 

DRIP

BLOOD 

DRIP

PANIC 

PANIC

An arm coated thick with blood. I wear it like an accessory

Blood makes noise.

I hear screaming.

Mine.

Ex reappears and tries to grab me.

I try to run away.

PANIC 

BLOOD

DRIP

I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE.

Why is my ex naked?

In the middle of the street?

Rolling on the floor with me- trying to muffle my screams with his hand. Trying to stop me from running away…

BLOOD

MIND FUCKERY at its best.

“Look what you have done…” ex says.

6 hours later – location:  hospital.

The doctor asks to speak with me in private. My ex doesn’t want to leave my side.

I don’t say anything. quack quack! quack quack! quack quack!   the word on a loop…

“What happened?”  he wants to know.

“We don’t know. We were drinking. I can’t remember. It was an accident.” my ex speaks for us.

My head bows down,it almost appears as if I am nodding. I can’t quite remember.

What I do remember feels like I have made it up, it is so detached from my mind and emotions. It is about as close to me as Pluto or Saturn.

3 days in hospital my ex never left my side.

Not even to go home to wash or brush his teeth.

I wasn’t alone- my mother was with us too.

I was high on morphine for the pain.

Why didn’t they operate sooner?

Did they want to monitor me?

The situation?

Us?

three days later…  I’m being wheeled on the hospital bed- away from the stale, coughing ward…

“countback with me from 10,” says the anaesthetist.

“ 10 , 9 ,8 ……“

BLACKOUT

“1”. my eyes burst open. I gasp a breath. It is  like I’ve been living in a homemade sac filled with half shallow water and half air.

 Disorientated.

What happened?

I look down at the artwork the surgeon has done.

No more blood.

re-stuffed re-patched, recovered,

by a micro surgical  hand.

Discharged.

Back to the carnival freak show.

I enter his home – a massacre.

Dry blood everywhere.

Smell.

Bleach.

Sound.

Scrubbing brushes.

Stubborn blood. 

If only it could serve as a reminder of what actually happened that night.

“I don’t remember” the ex says.

How can he and I not know?

Every time I look at my scar I am reminded of the chaos that was my life for 4 years.

This scar says –

mutilation.

despair.

secrets.

emotions numbed.

detachment.

silence.

silence-1.jpg

This scar reminds me to NEVER be silent in the name of so-called love or a sense of loyalty to one who claimed to love me so much he would do anything to keep me.

http://www.vevo.com/watch/suzanne-vega/blood-makes-noise/USIV20300313

When I left him, I did not take his threats seriously.

 What he did next gave serious competition with the scar I see.

That everyone can see.

Toxic relationships result in a severe loss – sometimes that means your life.

Think carefully about what and who your life may include.

I was reborn again on the 06/05/2015.

The day the court ordered social services out of my life.

The day that my ex turned his back on me,  is the day I realised I had been holding my breath for years.

I had forgotten how to breathe.  I might have been dead- a wanderer.

06/05/2015 -I remembered not only how to breathe again but why.

Life -not just my own but that who is of me.

Life is precious

Life is my responsibility

resumption_by_jorgeremmy-d3drxy2.png

About Daisy Willows

'Words are my everything' - Jon Wayne . A writer of poetry, stories, stage scripts, fiction, border line poetry & freestyle works, Music reviews, Guest Features/interview & shout outs. She is also passionate about raising anti-stigma & awareness for Mental Health. A trained co-facilitator in Wellness Recovery Action plan by Mary Ellen Copeland Natasha goes by many moniker names-Daisy Willows, bahtuhkid, GOAT2Bdazee. She has had a colourful life. Travelled. Natasha co-owns a second-hand clothing & accessories business -La Bella Bijoux Ltd Natasha was born in South Africa & is a French national. She currently resides in the UK Natasha Bodley holds a postgraduate in the Humanities. A BA in Myth in the Greek and Roman worlds & Advanced creative writing. She also holds a Foundation degree in Acting performance. She is currently working on her first novel (semi-autobiographical creative non-fiction). She has published one short story on Amazon called 'Number one' Connect with Natasha Collaborate with Natasha & feel free to Communicate her too. Light, Peace & Love!

Posted on Jun 10, 2022, in WRITE TO RECOVER and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 67 Comments.

  3. The_Quill_Girl | Jun 12, 2022 at 13:29

    Hey hope you are doing great now. People dont realise the worth of love and they abuse it as if we are a pocession. We are there with you in this.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Daisy Willows | Jun 12, 2022 at 14:07

      Hi,, thanks for asking. I’m a lucky lady. I’ve been harried to a diamond of a man for 7 years on June. We’ve been together for 11 years & I’m very blessed. Thanks for the support.. xx

      Like

      Reply
  4. Jaenne | Jun 10, 2022 at 23:25

    I have those scars, too. They are mute evidence of past pain. But they are also like signs you pass on a highway. They show that you kept moving forward, in spite of the accidents you can still see in the rear view mirror. You survived. Your road trip didn’t end prematurely. You are still traveling and I am happy and proud to be on the same road as you.

    Like

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    • Daisy Willows | Jun 11, 2022 at 12:31

      Indeed they are mute evidence of the past. I like they way yoiu worded that. That is a great analogy & you are so right. It’s like the saying it’s not the destination : its the journey. Great to meet you & jere is to us moving -always movoing frowards. xxx

      Like

      Reply
      • Jaenne | Jun 15, 2022 at 16:05

        Moving forward is our triumph over those who hurt us. Survival is the best revenge.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        • Daisy Willows | Jun 15, 2022 at 20:22

          Indeed, Survival is the best revenge as you say. My husband always tells me he wants to live until and old age so he can outlive his enemies. Ha ha! Great. to meet you, Jaenne!

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          • Jaenne | Jun 16, 2022 at 07:07

            There is an old Irish saying, ” May those who love us love us. And if they don’t love us, may God turn their hearts. And if he cannot turn their heart, may he turn their ankles, so we know them by their limping.”

            Liked by 1 person

          • Daisy Willows | Jun 16, 2022 at 10:18

            Ha ha! That’s a 👏 brilliant saying.
            I didn’t see that ending coming.
            We reap what we sow and I’ve had to change my perspective and actions many times.
            Thanks for reading 📚.

            Like

  5. Daisy Willows | Jun 10, 2022 at 12:06

    Thanks for the share.

    Like

    Reply
  6. perfectflaw | Sep 30, 2020 at 23:24

    Truth . It’s the only word I can use for this. Very relatable as well. Toxic relationships are hard to leave, always leaves us with a scar, an emotional scar. I wish for your happiness as well. You will always have yourself to help you heal and all the scars will turn into a beautiful treasure that taught you the unteachable lessons of life ! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. dbsgirl | May 11, 2016 at 05:31

    What a story, and what bravery to share. I’m so awful that you’ve lived through such awful things. But things change! You’re getting married! Don’t get too bogged down in the past, yeah? Your future could be more beautiful than you can even imagine.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Bradley | May 4, 2016 at 20:02

    Wow. What a story. I’m sorry you had to live through that. I must honestly say that I lived in a community where, for some reason, there was a lot of domestic violence. I had to drive more than a few of my employees to the hospital or a shelter. In my head I would always get angry. Why didn’t they just leave? However, when I moved to Los Angeles I landed myself into a violent, dangerous three year relationship that I tried to save at any cost. I understand now.

    It’s good to see that you were finally able to break free from that environment.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • DaisyWillows | May 5, 2016 at 04:28

      you sound like a good man to help these people. People just don’t want to talk about abuse- it is so common in our society. It’s expected! People don’t understand than men can abuse and so can woman. I’m glad you are out of an abusive relationship . You come across as a kind man and deserve to be treated with respect. 🙂 thanks for reading 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Matthew Malin | May 4, 2016 at 19:48

    So incredibly powerful. This has me in knots. Thank you for sharing and I look forward to reading more of your work!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. Advanced Research Technology | May 4, 2016 at 19:25

    Someday you should compile this stuff in a book. I know it is graphic, but it shows what a person can live through, and not only survive, but find a way to thrive in, in the aftermath.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  14. Tikeetha T | May 4, 2016 at 17:18

    Reblogged this on A Thomas Point of View and commented:
    A must read.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  15. Tikeetha T | May 4, 2016 at 17:17

    Wow! This is so powerful Daisy. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  16. The Perpetual Camping Wife | May 4, 2016 at 16:53

    I know that I dont know you, but I am proud of you! You have come far. My mom, in her second marriage, was abused. I dont know how many times I drove her (at 12, 13, 14 yrs of age) to the hospital after a major argument/beating by my now ex-stepfather. Thank God she is away from him, but it is a constant struggle for her every day. You are so strong!!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • DaisyWillows | May 4, 2016 at 18:13

      wow! that sounds pretty traumatic. My late aunt was never diagnosed but she defo had wife beating syndrome. I’m glad she is away from him too. It is soul destroying. That must have traumatised you as a teenager. You say I am strong! well, I don’t know you either but what you did for Ma takes epic courage xxx

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      • The Perpetual Camping Wife | May 4, 2016 at 18:16

        hehehe He got scared of me when I threatened him with an iron skillet one night. I was probably 13 at that time. It is soul destroying and my hubby has never been around anyone who survived it until my mom. Its been hard for him to understand, but he understands why I am the way I am about certain things now. Everything that happens is what makes us who we are today. No regrets!

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
      • DaisyWillows | May 4, 2016 at 18:29

        no no regrets. I came from an abusive home and we (me and my Ma) actually laugh about the time I took a knife out to her ex and accidentally caught him in-between his thumb and index finger- hit a vein – it looked worse than it was but he was being such a asshole. I paid for it. He ended up trying to choke me and my Ma saved the day. We looked out for each other.. But he had to go so I had to devious and find ways to make sure he stayed out. When I finally convinced my Ma he was wrong for her. We were coming back from somewhere and we passed this mall that we had to get home. There was the fire ambulance people and a crowd all looking at the top of the mall roof. It was ex threatening to kill himself- he was as drunk as a skunk – But yes. No regrets. Me and my Ma have such a strong bond. She is my best friend 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  17. Discoverecovery | May 4, 2016 at 13:21

    Sometimes writing without a plan can end in the most powerful works: this is one of those times.
    Wow. That’s all I could say when I finished reading. Domestic violence is not something that I’ve ever been through so I can’t pretend to understand, but the honesty in this post brings me one step closer to being better able to empathize with people who are stuck in these places.
    Thank you for sharing such a personal and painful story with the world. These kinds of stories are key to shining a light on the issue and preventing it from happening again and again and again.
    You are so STRONG for getting through that.
    Xo
    Ayla

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • DaisyWillows | May 4, 2016 at 14:21

      Thanks Ayla. It is never okay to abuse someone but when abuse does start happening and the boundaries get blurred and alcohol and drugs feature things can get bad. I knoW I tried to fight back many times especially when I had a black outs. It was like all the abuse I was keeping inside and all the pain I felt I would wait until I drank and then I would feel strong enough and brave enough to lash out. THANKS for the thumbs up for my writing style. I tend to do this with all my writing. I am not a planner Thanks for your support as always :0 x

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  18. SpiritualJourney17 | May 4, 2016 at 13:21

    Proud of you for being strong enough to leave the relationship. A powerful post!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  19. Dr Meg Sorick | May 4, 2016 at 12:33

    I echo the sentiments of the others… Super powerful post. Wow. I am glad that you are out of that situation and have your feet back on solid ground. Whew…. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. lynne hoareau | May 4, 2016 at 11:12

    Powerful, intense ! I felt it all !!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  21. Miriam | May 4, 2016 at 11:06

    What an incredibly powerful post. Raw, honest and brutally graphic. I’m so glad that you got out of the situation. There’s a powerful message here for everyone to hear, thanks for sharing your story Daisy. You’re a brave woman.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  22. Annette | May 4, 2016 at 11:03

    Daisy, I cried and cried this morning. Tears of gratitude to have inspired you to speak out. Tears that someone else has suffered and tears for those many who suffer. My one scar sounds as deep as yours. The one visible one that is the biggest anyway. Sad that we have this in common but you made me feel not so alone this morning because I dreamed of my abuser which happens often after 25years in the relationship who would not still dream. Not good dreams either. Anway, I have only had 2 sips of coffee Dasiy so excuse my babble. Thank you again for the honor of the inspiration even know it is such a bleak subject it needed to be told.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  23. Annette | May 4, 2016 at 10:58

    Reblogged this on Annette's place and commented:
    What an honor to be someone’s inspiration to write from the heart. The subject matter may be a taboo still but people like us that speak out do not want it to happen to another soul. Thank you for your wonderful post!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  24. Deb | May 4, 2016 at 10:00

    This was graphic…and exactly what we need to see to understand how important it is to kill the silence. It’s always the deafening silence that needs to be given first priority. Always. Glad you rose above this Daisy.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  25. Eve Messenger | May 4, 2016 at 05:30

    This was heavy, Daisy. Thank you for sharing your truth. Your post was a like a graphic novel-form poem. I could really feel your pain and disorientation. On another note, “Blood Makes Noise” reminds me of the Suzanne Vega song, which I haven’t heard in about a million years.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • DaisyWillows | May 4, 2016 at 06:27

      Sorry .A bit early in the morning for heavy shit . You got me. Love that song and it totally inspired my title 🙂 xxx thanks for reading . Think I will add it to this post. People need to hear the song 🙂

      Like

      Reply

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