For Alexandra

A blue and black and swollen eye, whimpers of “why?”
Raging, shaming, hurting, blaming
You’ve given him power over your life

Polishing that diamond in the rough, you allow the abuse
Changing, pleading, crying, bleeding
You’ve given him the best of you

Refusing to give up, all the effort, all the sorrow
Holding, denying, loving, crying
You’ve given him your tomorrow

Preferring the illusion, the man he said he’d be
Loving, caring, giving, daring
You’ve given him your dreams

Abusers keep hurting ’til you’ve nothing left to give
Beating, unfeeling, sometimes even killing
You’ve given him your right to live

Why?

© 12/28/2015 JB Heston