Rag Doll Poem by Amy Sousa

The child comes home late
Like a rag doll her father picks her up and throws her against the wall
I hear her scream as she hits the wall
Her father swings her by the arm against the cold floor
I hear her bones crack and break
Droplets of blood mixed with sorrowful tears
I see the bruises the next day
I see the cast on her arm
I hear her voice as she silences me
She told me she was bad
She told me it was her fault
I look into her eyes full of distress
I promise not to tell
That was two years ago
Because I stayed silent
Because I didn’t do anything
She’s dead and at only fourteen
(Dedicated to Evelyn may she rest in peace)