A Million Lies

She told herself the pain would end
If she could just do one thing right.
She told herself the blows would cease
If she held her tongue and didn't fight.

He told himself she deserved it all
For doing everything wrong.
He told himself it wasn't his fault,
That he was teaching her to belong.

She told herself she loved him still
Even though he hurt her so.
She told herself he loved her too
Even as he aimed another blow.

He told himself she felt no pain,
That each punch did her some good.
He told himself he did it for love
The way that all men should.

She convinced herself to stay again
For he promised he would quit.
She convinced herself he told the truth
And took his word for it.

He convinced himself this time he'd change
And begged for her to stay.
He convinced himself he'd stop the abuse
But temptation found a way.

She stands at Heaven's gate tonight
Looking down at her broken remains.
She tells herself she could have left
If she'd only broken the chains.

He stands at the door to the Underworld,
Looking up at her in shame.
He tells himself he should have changed
But instead he went insane.

They told themselves a million lies
And hoped it would be okay.
They convinced themselves the other would change,
A lie that killed them both the same.

Michelle Bernard
�9-2-98

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