A Dozen roses

A Dozen Roses
By Jennifer Bergerson
Rose number one is for the angry hurtful words he always says that he claims to have not meant.
Rose number two is for the two reasons why she attempts to stay and forgive him; their son and their daughter for they need their father.
Rose number three is for the three things she uses to attempt to hide the shameful bruises heavy make up dark sunglasses and long sleeve blouses.
Rose number four is for all the times he said he felt so sorry for hurting her and continued to hit her and say demeaning things.
Rose number five is for the fear and dread that consumes her daily life… ….
That makes her feel so scared to stay but keeps her with him.
Rose number six is for the countless times she has called the police just to drop the charges for she is scared of his angry fists and that he may beat her again.
Rose number seven is for the several times that her family and her friends have known what he does to her but choose not to step in for it is not their business.
Rose number eight is for the several times she has gone to the emergency room where the staff has known what really caused her physical injuries but choose not to help protect her and her children.
Rose number nine is for the words that echo through her mind “ Till Death Do We part “ and how many times she has wondered how true that vow really is, wondering if her husband was going to kill her… … …
Rose number ten is for countless affairs he has that she knows about that but dares not to say anything about for she fears for her life.
Rose number eleven is for the nurses and doctors that are working to save her life, for he beat her so bad that she had been rushed to the emergency room…..
Rose number twelve he just laid upon her casket where at 34 she will lay forever… …
A dozen roses,
a dozen wilted black roses … …. ….
And another woman dies… …. …
But he gave her a dozen roses.