they told me
that i would
see no evil
but it lies
upon her face mornings
as she greets me
ducking her head
willing the bruises
and the pain away
willing my eyes
away from her neck
her wrists
her arms
away from her.

they told me
that i would
see no evil
but it lives
in his eyes
full of controlling malice
contempt
destructive possession
in his handprints
on her flesh

they told me
that i would
see no evil.
i witness it.
everyday.

they told me
that i would
hear no evil
but it resonates
through this house
reverberates
through these walls
its found in
her soul-shaking
sanity wrecking
sobs
that you can
hear
shake her body
the regret runs
rivulets down her cheeks
these tears
can't
won't
don't
heal what ails her.

they told me
that i would
hear no evil
but it echoes
in my ears
as open palm
connects with wet face
as closed fist
blasts into a soft stomach
as body
collides with wall
as she begs
moans
pleads
for oxygen
please
please
let her breathe

they told me
that i would
hear no evil.
it won't
go away.

they told me
that i would
speak no evil.
i haven't
nor has she
nor will she
she'd rather
be beat like a man
than
be put on a stand
and take a stand
for herself
would it make
sense for me
to speak evil,
if i am given
no support?

they told me
that i would
speak no evil
but he does
bitch
slut
hoe
dumb
stupid
assanine
incompetent
each word
punctuates another
bruise.
he does
when he comes to me
assuring me
telling me
that i won't tell
anybody
he wants his
secrecy.

they told me
that i would
speak no evil.
but i will.
i will speak
the evil
i've seen
i've heard.

7.10.09