I've posted this before, but it's one that bears repeating.

[xtremeroswellia]

My name is Jamie

My name is Jamie I am but three,
My eyes are swollen
I cannot see,

I must be stupid
I must be bad,
What else could have made
My daddy so mad?

I wish I were better
I wish I weren't ugly,
Then maybe my mommy
Would still want to hug me.

I can't speak at all
I can't do a wrong
Or else I'm locked up
All the day long.

When I awake
I'm all alone
The house is dark
My folks aren't home

When my mommy does come
I'll try and be nice,
So maybe I'll get just
One whipping tonight.

Don't make a sound!
I just heard a car
My daddy is back
From Charlie's Bar.

I hear him curse
My name he calls
I press myself
Against the wall

I try and hide
From his evil eyes
I'm so afraid now
I'm starting to cry

He finds me weeping
He shouts ugly words,
He says its my fault
That he suffers at work.

He slaps me and hits me
And yells at me more,
I finally get free
And I run for the door.

He's already locked it
And I start to bawl,
He takes me and throws me
Against the hard wall.

I fall to the floor
With my bones nearly broken,
And my daddy continues
With more bad words spoken.

"I'm sorry!" I scream
But it's now much too late
His face has been twisted
Into unimaginable hate

The hurt and the pain
Again and again
Oh please God, have mercy!
Oh please let it end!

And he finally stops
And heads for the door,
While I lay there motionless
Sprawled on the floor

My name is Jamie
And I am but three,
Tonight my daddy
Murdered me.

* * *

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. Chances are you know someone who's currently in a violent or abusive relationship. It could be a friend, family member, co-worker, classmate, or even you. If you know someone who's being abused, please contact your local domestic violence shelter for information on how you can help, or visit this website:

http://www.stopfamilyviolence.com

Comments

[paradoxpie.livejournal.com]

this always makes me cry. always...

[xtremeroswellia.livejournal.com]

Me too.

[cking1575.livejournal.com]

Me too...this is sooo sad but unfortunately true for so many! Thank you for sharing this! Even as sad as it is, more people need to read about the harsh reality of Domestic Violence.

[xtremeroswellia.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Awareness is the first step.

[captaintish]

That is so, so sad.

Who wrote that?

[xtremeroswellia.livejournal.com]

I don't know, actually. :/

[unstableharpy.livejournal.com]

That's so sad.
I truly hope that it's a fiction and not based on someones life.
Stuff like this make me feel so frustrated. I help out at Amnesty International and refugee camp. Every time something happens I wish I could do something more than just try and raise awareness or write urgent appeal. I feel so useless.

[xtremeroswellia.livejournal.com]

I'm right there with you on the feeling useless bit. Sometimes it feels like we're on a huge sinking ship and constantly bailing the water out only to have it flood back in immediately. Hang in there. *hugs*