I turned my face the other way

And watched you do the same

Both of us pretending we didn’t know

An elaborate make-believe game

We never mentioned bruises

That dotted your neck at times

We blamed all sore limbs on work

Even on vacation time

We never voiced what we knew

We kept silent because of your fear

And that is why I blame myself

For you not being here

If I had voiced my concerns to you

If I had just spoken up

If I had made you turn him in

If I had made him stopping beating you up

Then I wouldn’t be standing here today

I wouldn’t be standing at your grave

And you would be smiling for all the world

That smile you rarely gave.