I’m sorry I’m sluggish and stupid and slow,
I’m sorry for being me.
I’m sorry I’m dullwitted, dim and dumb;
I’m as sorry as can be.
I’m sorry I’m stuttery, spotty and scarred;
please accept my apology.
I’m sorry as soon as I open my mouth,
I have to apologise.
I’m sorry the sides of your mouth turn down,
each time I look in your eyes.
I’m sorry whenever I speak the truth,
that all you can hear are lies.
I’m sorry for hurting your fist with my face.
I’m sorry your skin has been marred.
I’m sorry for making a dent in the wall,
by falling against it so hard.
I’m sorry I’m struggling to get off the floor,
because my back is so jarred.
I’m sorry as soon as you drive away,
I’ll be limping out of the door.
I’m sorry I met you, I’m sorry for me,
and I want you to know the score;
It’s the last time you’ll hear me apologise.
You’ll find that I’m sorry no more.
© Jane Paterson Basil
One woman in four (and one man in six) in the UK will be a victim of domestic violence during their lifetime, according to research estimates. Two women a week are killed by a current or former male partner.
Domestic violence is officially classified as “any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between adults who are or have been in a relationship together, or between family members, regardless of gender or sexuality”.
We think of domestic violence as hitting, slapping and beating, but it can also include emotional abuse as well as forced marriage and so-called “honour crimes”.
It’s abuse if your partner or a family member:
- threatens you
- shoves or pushes you
- puts you down, or attempts to undermine your self-esteem
- makes you fear for your physical safety
- controls you, for example by stopping your seeing your friends and family
- is jealous and possessive, such as being suspicious of your friendships and conversations
- frightens you
Where can you get help?
You don’t have to wait for an emergency situation to seek help. If you live in the UK you can:
- talk to your doctor, health visitor or midwife
- call 0808 2000 247, the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge (calls from a landline are free)
- in an emergency, call 999
Making it write 
Well done!
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Thanks ,Mr. groovy!
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Powerful! Thank you for this.
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And thank you for your comment. It encourages me to carry on with this sort of poetry.
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Well said
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Thank you Michelle.
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20 years in one of those relationships if the anger didn’t work out came the guilt. These relationships are such a pile of toxic glue.
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20 years is a hell of a long time for anybody, but particularly someone who looks as young as you. The only positive thing that can be said about it is that it is an educational experience of sorts.
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46 Tomorrow! Giant lesson in what NOT to do!
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Happy Birthday!
At least you escaped – you have plenty of time to benefit from your freedom, and from the unwanted lesson.
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SO powerful, great perspective, Jane. Great also you provided numbers for help. Well done. 😊
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Thanks Janni. I wish I could have added info for the U.S as well.
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That’s pretty heavy. You’re pretty dern gifted at this “real” stuff, you know…
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Thanks Calen – my fingers rebelled/ I was meant to be writing something rather different to that, but they thought differently!
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Total respect Sister…powerful and important.
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Thank you. It’s an important issue which cannot be spoken and written about too often.
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That is so poignant and unfortunately so true……..xox 😊
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It happens all the time – maybe that’s why it twisted away from what I had originally intended to write, which wasn’t about abuse…
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A great, yet sad piece. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you. When I began the poem it was intended to be about low self-esteem, but it metamorphosed!
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Jane, that’s so good. Well done. I didn’t realise your “middle name” was Paterson – that’s my maiden name!! Hope you are having fun.
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Thank you. Are you of Scottish descent? My mother was a Scot, and my middle name is a family surname. Wouldn’t it be interesting if we are descended from the same clan?
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Reblogged this on Peace Fills and commented:
A moving reality of abuse. The statistic on two women die each week from domestic violence. The poem moved me to the core. Thanks,
Dale
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It’s a painful subject, and all too common.
Thank you for reblogging Dale
Jane.
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Thank you for all of the effort on this blog
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It is a pleasure. Thank you for your response.
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That was so real… I really needed to hear this. I’ve heard myself say those words “I’m sorry” over many of these things. It becomes a a sort of reflex, a natural defense mechanism. Feb 4, 2015 was the last day that I allowed myself to apologize.
You have an incredible gift!
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Thank you for that lovely compliment!
I’m moved by your comment, and very pleased that you managed to free yourself. It can be such a hard thing to do, not least because you become so dimished by the abuse. I congratulate you on your escape. I don’t know your story, and am unable to tell whether you are fully recovered – it can take years or even a lifetime, but I wish you a happy and fulfilled future.
I hope that unless you have a good reason not to, you’ll tell others about your experiences, and the warning signs which you missed or ignored. Talking could save others.
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