The end of another school day
giggling laughter and joyful play
all think such a pretty little sight
as the child's eyes sparkle bright
loving the freedom to play and roam
until Mum arrives to take her home
her eyes still seem large and wide
surely this joyful girl has never cried
the walk almost done, her house near
her happy state now replaced by a fear
always the same, her only big scare
will her father be home, is he there?
she hates the noise, his drunken shout
she has no idea what its all about
though one thing she does now understand
is the hurt she receives at his evil hand
does she have one father or is it two
one Dad is loving, sweet as morning dew
she loves this gentle man to whom she wakes
not the loud man who grabs and shakes
early Dad wants to hold and kiss her
saying sorry and how much he'll miss her
as off to work this nice man goes
they love each other and it easily shows
but a different one seems to come back
looking for any excuse for another attack
mostly it is just those nasty words he uses
al least those don't leave painful bruises
real bad days means she'll feel his fist
far to small and afraid to try to resist
for her father's act so unfairly cruel
another day away from friends at school
too frightened that the marks will show
the sad results of each painful blow
doesn't know why or for what she's to blame
although too often sees her Mum suffer the same
that her poor life is unique I'd love to say
but for thousands the day ends the same way