You've been beating me up a lot lately
Oh, not with your fists, but with your words.

The marks and bruises you leave don't show to the outside world
They are wounds on my heart for me alone to see and feel.

Your favorite name for me is "Bitch"....

Let me tell you about this "Bitch";
I bore your sons and stayed home caring for them while you were out partying with your friends those many years.
Yet you call me bitch.

I worked full time jobs to pay our bills because you couldn't hold down a job of your own
And still you call me bitch.

I went to your court dates, visited you in jail, accepted your collect calls, put money on your books, taking away from our household account
Still you call me bitch.

I stood up to my friends and family, and listened to my Father tell me he would rather attend my funeral than attend my wedding to you.
And still, you call me bitch.

I rocked my babies, went to teacher conference, Dr. appointments and school plays alone because you were nowhere to be found.
Still you call me bitch.

Now many years have passed; Our sons are now grown and are twice your size and have twice your heart.
I have sacrificed much to keep them out of your thug lifestyle.
Yet still, you call me bitch.

I cook for you, clean up after you, give you my body when I would rather die than have you touch me, and still you call me bitch.

You're killing me; Day by day, with each name you call me, every threat, every time you scream in my face, every wall punched, every insult....you're killing me.
I grow smaller and smaller, quieter and quieter...I dont even fight back anymore.

And still, you call me bitch.