Escaping the Violence

I sigh to myself as I sit down
And rub my tender head
I can’t believe he really hit me
Or even the things he said

Suddenly the phone rings
I already know who it is
I dare not answer it
As I know the voice will be his

The answer phone has got it
He’s yelling for me to pick up
I shut my eyes tightly
Desperate not to look

I yell for it to shut up
But only because he can’t hear
Because I’m sure that if he could
He’d literally rip off my ear

I used to dream like fairy-tales
Where she’s happy with her prince
I remember trying to leave once
And I’ve been stuck with him ever since

The voice has gone away now
But I can hear a car pull up outside
I whisper to myself
Telling me not to cry

I should try to stay strong now
Even as his fists beat at the door
I know I’ll be ok
If I just stay scrunched up on the floor

He sounds madder than ever
Like the screamer in a heavy rock band
The door suddenly bursts open
He comes stomping up to me and…