Superiority Kills

With hands full of scars and a body 

as thin as a rake,

food deprived and isolated, while

struggling to earn a living and to satisfy her 

emaciated and famished children,

she puts up with the pain. 

Meanwhile, the controlling and conceited 

family throws demands and orders,

with scornful snickering,

desperate for a surge of superiority,

forgetting that they too, are human.

Well aware of the mistreatment they face, 

but with no voice, they fear the consequences of

standing up for themselves.

After all, they need the money to survive,

so, they put up with the pain.

Silent screams and cries,

yet as loud as an alarm,

desperate for help,

but the fear of reaching out,

causes the loss of lives. 

With cuts and bruises and shouts

blood and scars and tears,

they put up with the pain.