Don't hit me again daddy

Child Abuse

My small hands crack

As I use them

To cover my head and face;

the thin belt is much worse

than the thick - 

it whips more and leaves deeper welts

Funny how my mind

takes off - leaving me behind

I think of how my body will

look with the new 'stripes'

I pretend I'm a tiger 

in the mirror - when 

the swelling goes down

and I wear my pain

for only me to see...

Author's Note

Imagine this.
Tear it up.

Reviews

[Zoya]

Painful to even read...
It's not an easy task to leave the reader teary-eyed, only after making them read I guess a poem of about 10-12 lines. You did that easily, or maybe not so easily, idk. Whatever it is, this poem is quite heartbreaking. Thanks for sharing.

[Tony Jordan]

Thank you for your words Zoe.

[Zoya]

no problem

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

"Funny how my mind takes off- leaving me behind"- wistful, innocent, horrific musing of an innocent victim. Amazingly poignant poem. Childhood abuse leaves irreparable damage. Your words deeply resonate with me. "My small hands crack"- made me cry. Even if it ends, it never ends. Thank you for giving victims a voice.

[Norman 223]

This has to be one of the most powerful and terrifying pieces of writing I have ever seen. Your portrayal of the child-like "acceptance" of what has become a routine of life could equally be extended to the submission of women in the name of faith in certain cultures.

[angelina neves]

very sad and painful...
Children should be protected and not abused... And it will, most of the time, become a tragic circle and the victim will grow to be the abuser...

[KCthelastboyscout]

Let this pain stay with you. Just let it absorb you and be part of your DNA I believe it could be a useful tool because you will be able to see the signs when it happens to someone else or when others are too blind to see

[Mr.Writer]

All those emotions Tony, the sadness...
You've portrayed it very well
Keep it up :)

[Tom Float]

A devastating blend of mature delivery with genuine childlike imagery. It's painful which is only a compliment to the quality of the piece.

[Lykos]

This is deep and sad. Really hits you and makes you feel the pain. Powerful poem. Good job..

[Samuel Dickens]

Child abuse is sad and tragic on so many levels. As if the victim's suffering wasn't enough on it's own, it often spreads to others.

[Beccy]

How sad that the only thing which really matters in the world, the innocence and trust of a child, can be taken so casually and disposed of so cruelly.

Child abuse comes in many forms, not just the physical, but the scars are as deep.

Beccy.

[Ana B.]

This hit home too close. All of us have no choice but to wear those clothes of pain, mine are fashionably designed....hehe, but the material is yet the same. Heart touching and heart shredding write dear friend.