If Only

Balderdash!

Claptrap!

Cease your lies child

no one is tracking you

no one is trying to sell you

what is wrong with you

she is your mother.

Blind

eyes turned inward

seeing

not the bruises

not the broken bones

nor burns

nor  sullen turn of mouth.

Screams

muted

forced down

chocked upon

a knee upon her back

woman who was to love

turned to torture instead.

Neighbors shaking heads.

How did it come to this?

Lamenting

public beating of chests

if only…..

they had not ignored…..

they had opened their doors…..

intervened…..

helpless

shrug of shoulders

just another uncounted death

preventable

if only…..

©April 15/21

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