Hiding in Trees

The beauty of her mother's smile
the vibrant blue of her eyes
little girl sees it less than more
beyond her years, so wise

The shimmering of the morning sun
reflecting on rippling waves
the footprints on the sand she makes
mom dare not misbehave

The rustle of the tall green trees
the beautiful song of a bird
it flies overhead, stretching its wings
the cries of abuse unheard

Dreading bedtime's unleashed fear
reality she shouldn't know
arguments brewing, the sound of a fist
as mommy takes another blow

Burying her head under pillows
she tries to muffle the sound
the screams and curses slam the wall
no escape from him is found

Reels of memory replay the pain
as the cycle begins anew
her own little girl now cowers in fear
as daddy beats mommy blue

Should be free as the bird flying above
free as the sea, so wild
yet innocence stolen once again
as seen through the eyes of a child