So many times
She masks the tears
Struggles to put
Aside her fears

Another day
A body broken
Nowhere to turn
No words are spoken

Wishes she
Could hide forever
Forget the pain
That leaves her, never

Cries in the night
From a voice unknown
An empty heart
She’s so alone

Is there no one to save
This embattled child
Abused, and wasted
Her body, defiled

To help her find
The one she’s lost
Her self-esteem
That’s long been tossed

Cradle her safely
With loving arms
Never again
Shall she know harm

It only takes one
To give her back herself
No more forgotten doll
Sitting there, on a shelf

She needs to know
There is more to this life
Than endless suffering
And intolerable strife…

©2021 Dorinda Duclos All Rights Reserved
Image by Brigitte makes custom works from Pixabay