Secrets behind closed doors

Jay, many more people need to read this. I have been through domestic violence and it's torture because many people are not understanding of why you stayed etc but it is difficult to leave but I was lucky enough to escape before we got married yet many people aren't as fortunate with finding their inner strength.

Don't lay a hand on her body
Don't break any skin.
Keep her cowering for ever
Plundering her sleep.
^^
This opening stanza is so pure in it's essence to describe that no-one should never touch a lady in this way and likewise men shouldn't be hurt this way either as it does happen just not reported as often.

The banging of the cupboards
The thrashing of furniture
A kick on the headboard
And rustling of the sheets
Ensures she is wide awake
And her heart is in her throat.
^^
This is heart wrenching because this is usually how it begins, just built up anger and then things get rougher so they decide to lay their hands on you to make themselves feel better. I can imagine this lady stand still and even time just stop because she knows he I'd angry and what awaits her.

The ranting and raving goes on
Unknown to him his neurosis deepens
As night moves on into darkness
The vile and evil of his past abuses
Starts bubbling and oozing out of his mouth
While she lies there tormented and cringing
Curled up tight like a foetus
Refusing to leave the womb
^^
This is a very imagery filled piece. This lady here is curled tight to stop the blows from coming but they still arrive and they still hurt but you mustn't cry because he'll get angrier. The words I feel are the worst art because they stick with us forever whereas the physical stuff can heal although not be forgotten. The night turning to dark is really affective here.

Once a victim, now he is the hunter
All night he claws at her mind and shreds her soul to bits
And respite comes only with the first ray of dawn.
Like a released tormented Prisoner of War
Stumbling in her wake she moves down another day
While he sleeps peacefully like an innocent child.
^^
The use of the abused becoming the hunter is so affective here because many of them were abused as children but it doesn't give them the right to turn to hunter. Again, the imagery is something else the fact he is clawing at her mind with his words just wow because as I said those words will stay on her mind forever even if you try and forget them.

As night approaches
And body demands its rest
Stiff as a board there she lies
Afraid to surrender to sleep
Waiting for the foot falls on the stairways
To Come closer and closer to haunt.
^^
The not being able to sleep until you hear their key in the lock, steps on the stairs because even if you're asleep he will wake you so it's best to stay awake at least then you know what's coming.

In broad day light
The world sees them
As a perfect couple so cordial and so right
No visible sign of violence
A secret so well kept.
^^
Very true. Nobody knows what goes on indoors.

Em

Jay

Another important piece from you here that needs to be read and taken notice of. I love the imagery you conjure with your similes and metaphors throughout, particularly "like a foetus refusing to leave the womb"

Well done and all the best
Ben

"Once a victim, now he is the hunter"

There so many good lines in this poem...

Well, the whole poem comes together perfectly, it really melts into one...
but the line I quoted above specially stands out to me

This is a heart wrenching poem, while subtle in metaphors it still clear, and the audience can easily grasp the concept of it. It paints a clear image in the mind..

Well done!