by Tierney O'Hara

Created on: June 21, 2008   Last Updated: December 23, 2011

Abuse of the Innocent

A frozen soul
ice for a heart
you used your puppy's leash
a length of rope
to lash him once, twice
before I shouted
"Hey, stop that, please!"

Then you turned to me
eyes narrow as paper cuts
"Shuddup Girlie, just shuddup."
You curled your lip so high
it touched your nose
exposing teeth that needed care
gums that looked sore.

"Here, you take 'im," you said
yanking the leash one more time
one more chance to hear the
squeal of pain from the tiny dog.

I grabbed the puppy
held him close to my chest
feeling his shaking body
melt into mine
saved from your ugly hate.

"The hell with ya both," you yelled
as you shuffled off
hands in pockets
cuffs dragging on the pavement
limping and listing to the left.

Many years later
my memory of this day stays
haunting me with questions

Makes me wonder
who was it that treated you
in such a way your soul froze
and your heart stopped beating?

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