CROSSES TO BEAR.

"Alice had worked in the refuge for just over five years
Had seen plenty of pain, plenty of tears
Alice had accidentally let slip
Some horrible stories, just as bad gossip
Alice had sat playing with her hair
Told me why some of the women were in there
Stories of horror, stories of physical pain
Some women beaten, some almost slain

‘The woman with her front teeth missing…
Her husband caught her with another man kissing
He head-butted her square in the face
Damage so bad her teeth the dentist can’t replace

The woman with the bad scar on her lip
She got pushed she didn’t slip
Her fella was always having affairs
She complained once, he pushed her down the stairs

The blonde lass with the constant stammer
Her husband attacked her with a hammer
For a year in hospital she did lie
She was lucky not to die

The tall lass, the girl named Fern
Her boyfriend let her and her child burn
A neighbour saved her, drenched her in water
But unfortunately, they couldn’t save her daughter

The stout woman in the wheelchair
How do you think she ended up in there?
She received a beating from Hell
Which caused both her legs to swell
The swellings went down, they deflated
But she still had to have both legs amputated

I can understand why some women stay
Find it difficult to break away
Some women haven't been physically battered
But they are mentally drained and shattered
Some have suffered mental and verbal aggression
Up to the point where they suffer sever depression
Things like their partner threatening to commit suicide
Feeling pressured to stay by their side

Being made to feel like a failure
Inadequate, undesirable and insecure
Feeling useless and rejected
Their emotional needs overlooked, neglected
Feeling second rate, worthless, weak
Not being allowed to rise and speak
Jade suffered like this, was on the point of no return
Even now her depression gives us cause for concern

And finally there's sweet dear May
She discovered she was gay
Her fella flipped his lid,called her a freak
Said he would change her,raped her for a week
Said he;d keep on doing it until she changed her mind
So she took off,left everything behind

I hate violence of any name, religion,gender or creed
It needs stopped and we must raise awareness to succeeded
Make it known about the hidden hurt
Stop both men and women being treated like dirt
Let's not bury this under the carpet,let's make it clear
Let the victims of violence know  that we are here

The abuse doesn’t end after the pain
For a lifetime it can remain
Financial, physical or feeling of no use
They are all a form of serious abuse
Life is to short to live in fear
Our mission is to support and help you in here
I’m not snitching, the girls are willing to share
They all know they have their crosses to bear
But slowly they let go of their sorrow
For they know there’s a brighter tomorrow

They work hard at their counselling
Keep no secrets, tell everything
Each day they grow from strength to strength
Learn to keep their pasts at arm’s length
I have seen much sadness but plenty of happiness too
The women in here are a wonderful crew
All the women stick together
No matter how tough, no matter the weather
Give each other moral support
Give advice if it’s sought
They grow strong, holds their heads high with pride
Stand together side- by- side

If they need a shoulder to cry on, someone will be there
Comfort, help, passion in abundance everywhere
Even though this job is tough, I could never work else where
I do it because I really do care
It’s not a job you just do for the money
Because it aint a walk in the park hunny
God no, this job is tough and demanding
It takes a lot of love and understanding
When I go home I can’t sleep soundly through the night
Toss and turn until day light

We’re not meant to get close or connected
Not meant to let our work be affected
We are here to help and guide
Supposed to push our feelings to the side
But as you already know
It’s not the way, it’s just not so
Even though his job can be soul destroying
The knowledge that we help, we are enjoying
We are all one big happy family
You live here, you can see
The woman are great, the staff as well
The help from the refuge draws them out of their shell

When they leave here, they leave with a happy heart
Ready to face a brand new start
Alice was right the girls were great
No need to question or debate
I wanted to stay, I didn’t want to go
But alas it wasn’t to be so
Women they came, women they went
Soon my time was almost spent"