thoughts laid bare

Behind Closed Doors

Smile, she forces herself,
Laugh here and wave there.
She pretends to be happy,
And hopes no one see
That bruise on her neck
Hidden beneath the make-up,
Or those jagged lines on her wrist
Covered with hair ties and a watch.
Because no one needs to know
How her life is at home.

That her father, the man of the house,
A police officer, does what he does
Every day and every night.
How he wrings her neck,
And shoves and hurts.
How he ignores her pleas,
And takes joy in her pain and screams.

She smiles once more
Trying to keep her tears at bay.
Because no one needs to know
What happens behind closed doors.

-rome m. // Behind Closed Doors