Witness Poem by Terry Cooper

To be so close
To be so near
Not have the nerve
To interfere

I wince each time
I hear the sound
Of objects thrown
That hit the ground

The words he screams cut through the night
The words he screams cut like a knife
And still she stays
She will not leave
She cowers and begs
To let her be

I cannot help but wonder why
She won't get out
And learn to fly

I want to help
To make him stop
I've tried my best
But I cannot

My heart goes out
Each time I see
Her efforts with festivity

She'll hang the flag
Or string some lights
Despite the likelihood
Of fights.

Her hope goes on
Despite her plight
Maybe she'll run
Run through the night.

To safer places
Where she'll see
The necessity of
Tranquility