Thoughts—Abuse	
I got flowers today.  It wasn’t my birthday or any other special day.	
We had our first argument last night.	
And he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt me.
I know he is sorry and didn’t mean the things he said	
Because he sent me flowers today.	
I got flowers today.  It wasn’t our anniversary or any other special day.	
Last night, he threw me into a wall and started to choke me.
It seemed like a nightmare.  I couldn’t believe it was real.	
I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over.	
I know he must be sorry because he sent me flowers today.	
I got flowers today.  It wasn’t Mother’s Day or any other special day.	
Last night, he beat me up again.  It was much worse than all the other times.	
If I leave him, what will I do?  How will I take care of my kids?  What about money?	
I’m afraid of him and scared to leave.  But I know he must be sorry because he sent me flowers today .	
I got flowers today.  Today was a special day.  	
It was the day of my funeral.	
Last night, he finally killed me.  He beat me to death.	
If only I had gathered enough courage and strength to leave him.	
I would not have gotten flowers today.	
(Author Unknown)	
Overcoming abuse does not just happen.  It takes positive steps everyday.  Let today be the day you start to 
move forward.     —Assunta Harris
Don't judge yourself by what others did to you.     —Cody Kennedy
Too often women believe it is a sign of commitment, an expression of love, to endure unkindness or 
cruelty, to forgive and forget.  In actuality, when we love rightly we know that the healthy, loving response 
to cruelty and abuse is putting ourselves out of harms way.     —Bell Hooks
QUICK CHECK:
1. a) In an essay of 25 words or more, explain what the poem is saying to you about abusive behavior .  
 b) What would you have done if you were getting flowers after abuse?
2. a) Harris: What does overcoming abuse take?  b) Kennedy: By what should you not judge yourself?  
 c) Hooks: When we love rightly what do we know?
Thoughts & Quotes