Of course, you have to know
What things are about, Charlie,
Said Betty, as she paused
Smoking her cigarette,
Letting her voice
Linger on the air
Above her head
For a few seconds,
When I saw
How my mother
Was treated
By my brute
Of a father
I told myself
Never be a victim,
Betty baby,
Don’t take any bull
From anyone
Least of all a man,
And Charlie stood
Looking down at her
As she lounged
On the sofa
Nodding mildly
As he rubbed
His bruised jaw
Where she’d
Punched him
A few hours before
For placing his hand
Upon her butt
After she’d said
Tutt-tutt tutt.
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