Bashed always
Pushed down, slapped hard
Even picked up and thrown down again
Her pretty blond hair caked with blood
An embarrassment of especially cruel beatings
Moving through girlhood
Hoping the torment could stop
And she could love this brother
This grandfather, this father again
Cupping Mother's hand around her face
As she leaned next to her in church
So she could please love her
Please love me, she said
I'm really not bad
Just special
