The beatings stop when I say so, not when you decide it’s time.
I say now is the time
Not after you hit me again and offer your apology with a big bag from Tiffany’s.
Not the next time I call off work because “I hurt myself exercising” again.
Not when I’m at the M.A.C counter restocking on concealed to cover up your evidence of “love”.
And not while I’m holding ice on the busted lip “I made you” give me.

The beatings stop when I say so, not when you decide it’s so.
I say it stops now, not later.
Not later, after the ringing in my ear, from you slapping me so hard finally stops.
Not later, when I have to throw away another blouse, because it’s splattered with blood.
Not later, when I have to miss another family get-together, 
because the swelling hasn’t gone down, yet.

The hitting stops when I decide, not when you get tired of it.
Not when you promise it won’t happen again, again.
Not when you make excuses for not getting help, because you don’t think you need any.

IT STOPS- TODAY!
Not the day I’m riding handcuffed in the back of an Atlanta Metro squad car.
Not the day the judge is reading charges of murder against me, 
and setting bail for an amount I can’t afford, 
While I’m standing there wondering how I let this happen.
Not the day I have to make a collect call to my mother, trying to find the answer to, 
“why didn’t you just leave”?

IT STOPS TODAY!

Not the day you’re laying face down on the ground being read your rights.
Not the day the neighbors are standing around outside in disbelief.
Not the day my family and friends have to speak of me in past tense.

The beatings stop when I say so. Not when you decide it’s time.
I say the beatings stop not soon,
Not later,
Not tomorrow,
Now only does it stop today,
I’ve decided the beatings stops not now, but RIGHT NOW!