Pillow absorbing her tears
Wondering how her once fairy-tale love
Has turned into paralysing fear
Wanting so much to please him
But never quite getting it right
Blaming herself for his actions
"I must be too uptight"
Becoming an expert in make up
Her eyes finding it hard to conceal
Taking daily abuse and repeated beatings
Waiting for the blood to congeal
Her mind and body battered... broken
Her will stripped of the energy to fight
She decides to remain in her bedroom
Safe... out of plain sight
Madeleine, suddenly a stranger
To both her family and friends
They didn't think to check in on her
Although they regretted this in the end
Madeleine was found beaten unconscious
Days after the attack had ensued
By the emergency gas inspector
Only found... as he had to intrude
She never recovered from that beating
Her family, devastated by their loss
Look for signs of abuse in a loved one
...as to turn a blind eye, comes at too great a cost!
© Debbie Razey 2015