A Little Girl's Tears

• Ben Lewis, Grade 8
• Poetry
• 2012

She was 2 when her Daddy passed away
Her Mummy lost her mind that same day.
Now her every waking moment is tormented by pain
Of burns, cuts, brands and maime.
She goes to school painted in lies
She’s petrified if she tells, she dies.
Can’t do her schoolwork as she just can’t write
Tells the teacher she was in a fight.
At lunch time she sits down alone
Nothing to eat, she’s skin and bone.
As she walks home to yet more hell
Her teacher asks her if she wants to tell.
Of course she does but the risk is too dear
She denies everything as she blinks back a tear.
As her Mum swings a bat, she sees her Daddy
As he takes her with him, he says “You’re safe now Madde.”