A New Beginning

They strode through the door one by one
Strangers who would decide my fate
Then the judge came bustling in
Apologizing for being late
 
My mom was first to take the stand
And as she stared at me I cringed
Eyes flashing like embers of flames
She looked more than slightly unhinged
 
When she spoke it was with venom
And the truth didn't touch her tongue
She made me look like a monster
From which goodness couldn't be wrung
 
Dad was the next to take the stand
he walked by like I didn't exist
He said that I wasn't his daughter
And once gone wouldn't be missed
 
Next was the nurse to take the stand
To show the photo's she had took
After they all had studied them
They sent me a pitying look
 
Tears were streaming down my face
As I remembered the pictures viewed
They showed all the bruises and welts
As the photo's showed me nude
 
The judge instructed the jury
And they filed out one by one
It took them only a few moments
To decide they wanted justice done
 
They saw no reason for me to be beaten
And took me out of the family home
I was granted a new beginning
In a little rented house of my own

© 1971 Linda Ritnour/RainbowQueen
(All rights reserved)