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