#abusivehouse

The Rules

Learning to tread 

on eggshells.

Keep quiet.

Learn to be nice,

Because nice is what you must be 

to survive.

Never

let it show,

No one 

must know. 

Smile brightly 

for the camera.

Don’t let your mask slip.

Listen for footsteps.

The rattle of a key in the lock,

Who came home this time?

The monster,

or the angel?

Learn to stress 

over every 

Syllable.

Learn to shut down 

your emotions.

Disassociate quickly.

Let the wind blow through you.

Ignore the barbs 

and loaded sentences.

Most importantly,

Be compliant.