Lyrical Logic

The single mother who finally found courage
to leave her abuser —
She hides in a shelter,
too broke for daycare,
so how can she work?

Finally — a job with childcare.
Finally — a studio apartment.
Finally — she breathes.

But hope is fragile
when he finds her again.
Kicks in the door,
shatters her safety,
violates her body
before their son’s wide eyes.
He leaves smiling.
He knows the game is rigged.

She does everything right:
Hospital. Exam. Police report.
But the officer shrugs —
“Boys will be boys.”
“It’s hard to prove rape.”

She breaks again.
Because the system breaks her,
not him.

Imagine this is your sister.
Your daughter.
Your best friend.

When we don’t believe her,
he wins.
When we deny her housing,
he wins.
When we dismiss her case,
he wins.

How many more?
How long will we say
“I thought she liked it”
instead of “I believe her”?

This must change —
better shelters,
free childcare,
justice that listens,
laws that protect.

She did her part.
Now we must do ours.