Innocence Lost

What did you feel when you beat her?

What pleasure in it did you find?

Her tears fell as she grew weaker

You wanted to teach her to mind.

Face down biting the pillow

Screams muffled, no one could hear.

Choking as you landed each blow

Instilling in her only fear.

What drove you to hurt your daughter?

Did her beauty drive you insane?

Jealousy ran just like water

It ate away at your brain.

She loved you and wanted to please you

More than you ever could know.

But farther and farther you withdrew

As the child continued to grow.

Sickness was your destination

A tumor took root in your brain.

You awoke up to humiliation

Dark clouds, thunder, and rain.

She was 14, becoming a woman

Taller than you overnight.

Her eyes, they caught your attention

You saw what was missing, the fright.

In it's place was strength and wisdom

Beyond what she should have had.

With it a brand new freedom

Did what she'd become make you mad?

One last time you raised your hand

Her defiance too much to bare.

That strike, it never did land

That's it, she'd had her share.

Eyes blazing and shoulders thrown back

She faced you down like a cat.

Suddenly your world turned to black

To her cat you were only a rat.

5 years passed and then you died

A memorial held in your name.

She was there but she never cried

You've only yourself to blame.

How do you feel about your legacy?

She looks back and remembers the pain

The times she begged you for mercy

The only thing you gave her was shame.

Would you be proud of your daughter

A son of her own to raise?

The chain of abuse she did shatter

She sees no fear in his gaze.

She wonders why her mother would hurt her

Overwhelmed with love for her boy.

Of his trust in her she can be sure

He is her pride and her Joy.

Now and then tears come calling

She breaks down and starts to cry.

It's not for you they are falling

But the innocent girl, youth gone by.