"Please don't hit me again"

There she stood,
her little face etched in pain,
tiny tears running down her bruised face,

Neck bent back,
looking up,
trying so hard to contain,
all her fear,
inside her small frame,

"What's my name," he roared down,
body shaking with rage,
hand raised just in case,

"Daddy, Daddy,"
she whispered again and again,
body shivering as she fought hard,
not to look away,
because it might inflame his rage,

In the corner,
her mother stood,
tears streaming down her face,
wringing her hands,
trying so desperately,
to gather up the courage,
to push her husband away,

The neighbour broke down the door,
seconds too late,
the five-year old lay on the floor,
eyes staring into another place,

Her mother over her body wailed,
"oh why, oh why child did you have to say,
'please Daddy don't hit me again'."