Abuse
has stems rooted in self loathing
yet the abuser claims love
as their guiding force of the lost control

“I beat you because I love you”
Nothing can be further from the truth
there is no love within them

“I'm yelling so that you will hear me”
But the listening is shut down
through fear

“I'm sorry, I was drunk”
Yet their drunkenness
repeats itself over and over

I'll not give drunkenness excuse
for it is that loss of self control
found in those who despise themselves
having no respect for themselves
who know not how to cope with life

Bodies and spirits
broken by
violence
in the forms
of actions and words
that take their toll
on the abused
and seldom heal

When will man
learn to love himself
enough
to love others