She can't move a muscle, she's paralysed by fear.
He stops by the bed; she smells the alcohol on his breath,
As she prays for release from this living hell, relief from this living death.
A rough hand reaches out and shakes her; "you're supposed to be asleep"
She stares up in abject terror as she silently begins to weep.
She starts to shake in fear, knowing what is to come,
Every night, at least for her, begins the same as this one.
She's dragged out of bed by her hair, a small scream escaping her lips
What has she done that is so bad, what did she do to deserve this?
His open hand slaps the side of her face, sending her into shock,
Her mouth fills slowly with blood, his fist hitting again like a rock.
She takes the beating in stunned silence, afraid to even cry out
If she makes a sound, it will be worse, of this there is no doubt.
She waits until he's finished and he finally leaves her alone,
"Why won't anyone help me?" she thinks "Why won't anyone come?"
The woman creeps into the room and goes to her daughter's side,
"Its only me darling, don't worry, there's no need to hide."
The woman's eye is black from a punch, her face a picture of pain,
As she holds her daughter she knows, life will never be normal again.
Both are caught in this living hell, powerless to move,
As he uses his hands to show who's boss, a fact he needs to prove.
She knows she has to get them out, she really need to leave,
If she doesn't, they'll be dead in a year, this she truly believes.
Ten years go by, the daughter is gone, she ran away from that hell,
She tried to help, urged her mother to get away as well.
But her mother still loved her husband, despite all the pain and fear,
She knew that she could never leave him, of this she is quite clear.
Now she's the only target of his rage, she has to face it alone,
And this she does without so much as a whimper or a moan.
She doesn't scream or retaliate, or even utter a cry,
And this she knows will be her life until the day she dies.
If someone had seen behind the facade, seen what was true,
Life may have turned out differently for these helpless two.
All they needed was someone to see, someone to just be there,
All they needed was a little love, someone to show they care.
If someone had heard both their cries, seen how they really feel,
If someone had shown that child some kindness, she'd have a chance to heal.
But no-one sees behind closed doors, everyone believes the lies,
No-one took the time to heed that powerless child's cry.
Ker, 19th May, 2000.
"Rain".