Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time

We lived in a world

Where lives had meaning

And men respected their girls.

Where women would smile 

And laugh in content,

Without fearing their partners 

Would have a temperament.

Now these women wear

Turtlenecks and scarves,

Praying that one day

Their men don't take it too far.

"I fell down the stairs" 

Or "I know he doesn't mean it"

Are as hard to hear

As they are to say it.

Bruises are covered

And bones are mended,

But my lovely girl 

Why are you pretending?

We can get you away,

Hiding somewhere safe,

Where that evil man 

Can't "put you in your place"

But you don't seem to want to,

Maybe you enjoy the pain

Or maybe you think you deserve 

A day when you're not afraid

You aren't alone 

We have your back

And when you're down 

They'll pick up the slack.

There are two choices to make

And I made the wrong one

Because I did not hide

When he bought the gun.

You have a chance

One that I missed,

Run while you can

And avoid his fists

Once upon a time

I fell in love with a killer

Who even smiled a little

While he pulled that trigger...