By Tanvi Sharma
How she held herself together,
Just for the sake of her children,
Hollowing herself from the inside —
Mentally, physically —
Just for the sake of her children.
She was never afraid to break,
To destroy herself,
Just for the sake of her children.
Trying to protect them
From the monster of the house —
A man who strikes not with fists,
But with words sharper than knives.
He chose verbal wounds over bruises,
Yet the pain carved deeper.
She buried her dreams,
Silenced her desires,
Just for the sake of her children.
And I — watching her —
Saw the way she hid per pain,
Tucked it behind a fragile smile.
In the end, all I want
Is to see that smile become real,
To free her from this prison
We call ‘HOME’.
To take her somewhere
She can truly call home —
Not because she lives there,
But because she is happy,
Away from pain,
Healing, whole, and finally free.