A Punch and Judy Show

The preacher announced with a kindly voice
  for the children in the first row
That after church was over today
  they should stay for the puppet show.
Little Susan stayed and went downstairs,
  hand in hand, with her big brother Joe.
She watched for the first time in her six years
  a real Punch and Judy Show.

Joe, just turning sixteen years,
  still lived with the family at home.
Their dad was in jail for spouse abuse.
  The family was  left  all alone.
Joe had witnessed his parent’s fights,
  but young Susan had never known
How her dad beat her mom in his drunken rage;
  she was sleeping when he came home.

Susan watched closely the puppet act and
  she laughed with girlish glee.
She had never seen such a funny sight
  at home when she watched TV.
A week soon passed and the preacher came by
  to visit the family at home.
He was met by the law when he knocked at the door
  and they asked to see him alone.

Susan’s mom had been beaten to death
  and the cops didn’t have a clue
About when or why the crime was done.
  and the only witness was Sue.
They asked the preacher if he would try
  to speak with little Sue.
To ask her about the things she saw
  and find out what she knew.

Susan just laughed and looked at them all.
  She glanced at her brother Joe.
And she told how her mother and her big brother
  had made A Punch and Judy Show.