Abused

Belt in hand 
Red of face 
Eyes bulging into space 
The children scatter every place 

His temper is in full bloom 
They know they will pay for it soon 
Tiny hands and tear stained faces 
They silently pray from their hiding places 

"Someone, anyone, please come and protect them" they plead 
"For if not soon they will bleed"
The father rises and calls to each one 
And so it has begun 

Tenatively each steps forward 
Knowing their fate 
With a sadistic gleam in his eye 
The belt finds it's mark 

On soft skin, it leaves it's stark welts
Tears flowing fast
Live rivers in spring 
The terrified kids can do nothing 

On and on he punishes them 
Until they lay like broken toys 
They lie so still 
But he continues to enforce his will 

There is no help
No reprieve 
And worst of all 
This isn't the end 

Tomorrow it all begins again!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2005

Poem

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Smith-Johnsen Avatar
February 27, 2010 at 11:57 AM
Oops! Bernadette, I almost forgot to congratulate you on having your special poem about a horrific reality some children know. The wounds may heal, but the scars last a lifetime. The is a very deserving feature. I'm glad I didn't miss it. (I must have been distracted by the first ever End Line Word member contest (my first sponsored contest…See my blogs for information.) Anyway, I didn’t want the week to pass without congratulating you. So, Congratulations!!! Smiles, Dane Ann
Fraser Avatar
February 22, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Many congratulations to you for your poetry being featured on the Soups home page >> James
Brown Avatar
February 22, 2010 at 6:31 AM
Congratulations on your poetry being featured on PoetrySoup this week Bernadette. May you have many more featured. Love, Carol
 Avatar
February 21, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Powerful way to portray what far too many children have to deal with every day. Heartfelt and honest. Congratulations on having your poem featured. I wish you continued success with your writing. Karen
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