Then... My Daughter Cried

I breathed in a breath
And walked up to the gate
I was in a war for years
From a sick, twisted fate.

Today I returned home
To my faithful wife and kid
I can once more feel glee
And forget the killing I did.

My daughter opened the door
With red and tearful eyes
I then noticed black bruises
And blood between her thighs...

She was in the biggest mess
She looked at me and wept
I tried to give her a hug
But she squirmed and leapt.

"Daddy, I'm glad you're home
Mum's boyfriend is here,"
I tried to take all this in
But I was scared of my daughter's fear...

"Why did she leave me?"
I looked her in the eyes
"Mummy was alone and scared
All she did was cry..."

"Daddy, I'm glad you're home!
I don't want that man to stay!
Will you kick him out of the house
And can he leave today?"

I furrowed my brows with anger
"Does he hurt you?" I asked
"Yes, mummy too
But he gets it over with real fast."

I couldn't believe my ears
The nightmare seemed too real
This drunken man stole my wife
I can't even imagine how THEY feel.

"I'm sorry I ever left you,"
I put my hand on her hair
I felt blood oozing on my hand
A cracked skull, it wasn't fair!

I ran into my old house
It was tattered and dusted
I heard screaming in the bedroom
I looked at the door, it had rusted.

"No, daddy you can't go in!"
My daughter said in hate
"He said he'd kill anyone who entered,
And put their head on a plate!"

I was revolted and felt such fury
That I broke down the door
I saw my wife and a man
Fighting on the floor.

She stared at me vacantly
Her face bruised and cut
The man drunk a beer bottle
And held a cigarette butt.

I could not take anymore
I punched the man for pain
I even broke his jaw
Laughing at my evil reign.

"This is for my wife!" I kicked
"This is for my daughter!" I yelled
But his body lay lifeless,
I was glad, I sent him to hell.

My wife scrambled off the floor
Blood sticking to her skin
I embrace her in a hug
And forgave her immortal sin.

Then my daughter tug my top
I knelt to her and saw her stare
I pull her into a fatherly hug
To let her know I really care.

"Dad, you've defeated the bad man!
You are forever my hero!"
I feel a blush creep up on my skin
But enjoy this happy glow.

Then the world crashed around me
My wife, my daughter, abused
I look into her small child's eyes,
She'll never forget the pain...

... Then, my daughter cried.