Custom Search

Abuse Poem

I was abused from the age of four by my family, as was my older sister, who died from the abuse. I am now twenty-one, and this poem is what I sometimes wondered about - if she was looking down on me and helping me survive. When I was rescued at the age of twelve, I was encouraged to write down my feelings, and this poem was something I created back then. This is the first time I've shown it to anyone, and I dedicate this poem to my sister, whom I hope is at peace.

Hush Little Sister

© Yerzinia
Hush, little sister
Please don't cry
I wish I could be there
To sing you a lullaby

I can see your arms
Bloodied and bruised
That's strange, little sister
Mine were like that too

I know you scream
When Daddy's there
Hush, little sister
I know you're scared

I can see the way
He's hurting you
I'm sorry, little sister
He did that to me too

I know that people
Ignore what's going on at home
That makes me angry, little sister
You shouldn't have to be alone

Hey, little sister
You want to know why I'm not there?
It's a sad story, little sister
But people should care

You see, little sister
One day Daddy got high
You were asleep in your crib
So you didn't hear my cry

He screamed at me
And smashed my head against the door
While you slept, little sister
I died on the floor

You know, little sister
I don't think that I would have died
If someone had only bothered
To listen to my cries

But hush, little sister
Daddy's coming home
Quick, get into bed
You don't want him to find you alone

I'm sorry little sister
He's in a bad mood
Run while you can

Uh oh little sister
He's lifting his belt
Scream while you can, little sister
Call for help

Hush little sister
You don't need to cry
No one can hurt you
You're in my arms tonight.

Advertisements

Votes: 1368

Rating: 4.8

Rate The Poem
1 star rating: Poor 2 star rating: Average 3 star rating: Good 4 star rating: Very Good 5 star rating: Excellent

Published: Apr 2009

Share a Story (60)

Poem of the Day  Poem of the Week
Previous Poem
<< Bring Me Down 		Next Poem
You Don't Understand Unless You've Been Through The Same >>
Read More Abuse Poems
Need help? U.S. and Canada, National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD
International Child Abuse Hotlines
U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Has this poem touched you?
Share Your Story
Select a Tab

  • this poem is great. it is very tense and heart throbbing which make it even better! it is very sad I know but sometimes that is just the way that things are , I love reading this poem and I just read it over and over again its great

    - Angela Morris

    kiri Submitted Jun 2009
    Share ›

  • This is an amazing and touching poem. I was abused by my step dad sexually, and physically. Messed lots of things up. Your a good writer so keep it up.

    Brooke Submitted Jun 2009
    Share ›

  • I'm so sorry that you had to go through that much abuse and for your sister. Your poem made me want to cry.

    MelJo Submitted Sep 2009
    Share ›

  • When I read this I was in school. I read it out to my teachers and friends. One of my teachers told me that when I read it out she got goosebumps. Its poems like these that make me realize that my life is so different from abuse sufferers. I may get shouted at or grounded from time to time but that's nothing compared to this.

    Shannon Submitted Oct 2009
    Share ›

  • this story was so sad it made me cry I'm sorry you had to go through this I love my sister andlLiterally It made me think about heaps of things wow!! Xxx

    Rebecca Submitted Oct 2009
    Share ›

  • your poem hush little sister is so good it made me cry.

    nina Submitted Oct 2009
    Share ›

  • This story has really touched me I read it for a school project and now we are doing this for U.I.L. I would like to know the author of this poem.

    James Franklin, Gold-Burg Texas Submitted Nov 2009
    Share ›

  • Your poem is very good, you have a great mind for writing and many other things. Your poem is very touching to many people and I think you should keep writing and I'm very sorry for your sister. It's very sad but I hope you have a better life I know how you feel to loose someone very close ..... so sorry about your sister

    Brook. Alabama Submitted Nov 2009
    Share ›

  • When I read this poem I was about to burst into tears no one should be treated like that no mater what they did I'm sorry that this happened. If any one out there is getting treated like this you need to tell someone!

    Brianna, New York Submitted Dec 2009
    Share ›

  • wow! this poem.
    oh my gosh.
    it made me cry!
    your an amazing writer,
    and I'm sorry, that it happened.
    D:

    Kayla, Ohio Submitted Feb 2010
    Share ›

  • Beautiful, truely.
    These things are sent to try us, I too am a survivor and we must all keep on being strong.
    Let them rot in their jails with guilt in their hearts, for the day it all ended is where my life starts xx

    Louise, England Submitted Mar 2010
    Share ›

  • I know how you feel...my dad beat me 2....I was lucky to be an only child...I remember begging him to stop telling him he was my daddy and he should hug and read me books...not kick me in the stomach. Just reading this has brought me to tears and caused my hand to shake. I'm only 15 and just got away from my father a few months ago...I was scared to tell my mother (they're divorced). but I finally did and I'm living with her now.

    Sheridan, Arkansas Submitted Mar 2010
    Share ›

  • this poem reminds me of how there are a lot of people who can survive. I'm a survivor as well I'm only 20 lived through a lot and I still go thro a lot but we are just stronger then the rest of them we are survivor to the end

    Crassie, South Dakota Submitted Mar 2010
    Share ›

  • This story is truly touching. You are a great writer and you became stronger from what happened. you inspire me to take the worst of situations and turn them into strength of my own.

    Ellie, Virginia Submitted Mar 2010
    Share ›

  • Pretty touching. I wouldn't call myself a "survivor" or "victim" but I did come from a abusive home and all that BS. This poem is kind of disturbing (no offense) I mean the way it is wrote out and everything seems kind of gory but you or whoever wrote this, wrote it very well.

    Corinne, Utah Submitted Apr 2010
    Share ›

  • I absolutely love this poem. This poem has seriously inspired me to do something. I have a little sister and this poem breaks my heart. This is exactly how I feel about her and I would do anything for her. Like I said, I love this poem! I know it is very sad, but I cant stop reading it. I wish you luck in life and hope for the best.

    Never get tired of doing the right thing,

    Courtney(: age 14.

    Courtney, FL Submitted Apr 2010
    Share ›

  • Hit me right in the heart - I am so sorry, just want you to know that someone cares for you and your sister, I do - I am sorry that I didn't hear your cry. God Bless, Thinking of you, take care - If you need to talk I'll always be there.

    Wade Biloela Submitted May 2010
    Share ›

  • I'm sorry you have to go through all that. I mean I went through it to and everybody ignored the fact until I got pregnant by the bastard, he's my cousin. Ever since he did what he did, since I was 5 years old, I've been living on the edge. My life has not been what I expected as a child. I still feel the anger boiling inside me when I see him. Your poem inspired me!!!!!

    Kaniko Submitted Jun 2010
    Share ›

  • This is really touching, I am so sorry you had to go through this. As well as your sister. I too am a survivor of abuse/sexually and physically and I am so glad my children will never have to go through this. God bless you....

    Crystal, Ohio Submitted Jun 2010
    Share ›

  • Your poem is amazing, I'm sorry for what you had to go though, I'm an older sister and my little sister means everything to me. My dad is an alcoholic, and I protect her every time he gets angry. Your poem is so beautiful, in a horribly sad way, no one should go though that.

    Kathryn, Seattle, Washington Submitted Jul 2010
    Share ›

  • This is an amazing poem. I love it. Its so sad, and while I was reading it I was singing it to the sound of "hush little baby", that made me cry harder. Love it and I am sorry to hear about your sister.

    xoxo-deeds-xoxo

    Deidre Thompson, Northbrook Submitted Jul 2010
    Share ›

  • I love this poem. It would be a great song. Something to get people to really stop and think about things like this really happening in the world.

    Deena Hendersonville Submitted Jul 2010
    Share ›

  • I had the same thing happen to me but the other way around it was my mother that did it to me. I never could tell my dad because I was scared but now he knows everything. I told him when I was 1. I'm 24 now and have my own family and am very happy. When I read this I had flashbacks of when I was little. I hope everything is better and your having a good life .....

    Pine Bluff Submitted Jul 2010
    Share ›

  • This poem made me cry. You have such vivid detail and good writing skills. I have had similar experiences as a child. My father killed my mom and infant sister when I was but a child.

    Cyrus Aurion, Virginia Beach Submitted Aug 2010
    Share ›

  • I love this poem so much can I put it in my project for school? Thank you, it really made me feel sad. I want to show people that child abuse is a big problem. Thank you for sharing your poem with us.
    Love
    Jen
    xoxox

    Jen Submitted Aug 2010
    Share ›

  • I was abused as well starting when I was born till the age of 12. Some of the people said tell someone but if they found out you told someone there would be hell to pay. but one time my sister at the age of five told a teacher and the teacher told her to pray and it would get better. How could it get better when no one wants to stop it?

    Lacy, KS Submitted Sep 2010
    Share ›

  • Your poem makes me sad, keep up the writing in time someone will hear your cry.

    Ann Jamaica Submitted Sep 2010
    Share ›

  • Hi our names are Natalie Carrillo & Ruby Grado. We're working on a project for film class, and came across this poem. We've decided to use this poem, and make a video out of it. We can really visualize this poem & that is why we want to show others how wrong it is to hurt other people. Thank you so much your words were inspiring, intense even; were basically speechless.
    Ruby Grado & Natalie Carrillo

    Natalie Carrillo & Ruby Grado Submitted Sep 2010
    Share ›

  • I can't see for the tears. This is my life with my little sister, and so much more - it leaves you dead inside and sadly separated my sister from me - she who nearly died....I was the big sister/mother. And my daughter, with her good life and good father, cannot understand as she yells that I am a victim - and I laugh, yes LAUGH, and reply, that there is SO MUCH in my life to be happy about, I, this Victor, by the grace of God!

    Jennifer Submitted Oct 2010
    Share ›

  • Yeah I know how you feel I was beat by my foster parents it is not the funnest thing that has happened to me. I have cuts from mine they hurt at times

    Andersonville Submitted Oct 2010
    Share ›

  • This poem is beautifully written. Sorry about your sister and what has been done to you, it's a terrible thing to have to happen to children when parents are supposed to love and care for you! I'm sure your sister was looking after you!

    Rach, Illinois Submitted Oct 2010
    Share ›

  • I was also abused as child by my family and stepfather. I never knew growing up what a loving family was. Your poem touched my heart. Tears swelled when I read your story. Stay strong for your little sister.

    Cayman Islands Submitted Oct 2010
    Share ›

  • wow I'm so sorry you had to go through this I'm always getting in trouble and think how unfair my life is but if I compared it to what you went through I feel like kicking myself.

    Lameesa Nelson Submitted Oct 2010
    Share ›

  • I LOVE your poem & was abused also by family members (brothers', uncle, etc.)
    My mother never stuck up for me either or did anything. There needs to be a class in school, really!
    Maybe self-defense in gym to starting in grade school (1st grade).
    Thanks for sharing & writing about the topic. :)
    Hugs,
    Rosie

    Rosemary, PA Submitted Oct 2010
    Share ›

  • Amazing poem! I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. I'm going to use your poem for an assignment at school because poems like this have the potential to raise awareness surrounding victims of abuse.

    Jessaa-Lee Submitted Nov 2010
    Share ›

  • I was abused as a young child. I am only 15 now, but I was by my mom's now ex boyfriend. I got out after a few years of it. Then I was abused by my cousin's friend and my ex, who beat me in a way. Your story really touched me and wanted to make me cry. I am too strong to cry now though :) I really love your story :)

    Carli, Florida Submitted Dec 2010
    Share ›

  • This is great. I love it. my older sister also died in an abusive home she was 2 years older than me. I am 16 now she would be turning 18 in 5 months. I am in a group called PRIDE. its "People Reaching Into Desperate Environments". we do dances skits and songs to make people aware of abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse and other such things. would it be alright if we read this in one of our shows? it would be a great pleasure.

    Audrey, Eldorado, Arkansas Submitted Jan 2011
    Share ›

  • This is true- my older sister has the same problem. She got out though a few weeks ago when she turned 17. I'm 13 and stuck here with him. My boyfriend's the only one who actually knows that the bruises aren't from a nasty fall off a tree like I say. When I read this I started crying.
    I wish that I had the poem skills you do, but I don't. I favor writing though and have many stories.
    Sometimes I think about how much I hate life, and I cut myself.

    Your poem explains all this perfectly.

    Dannie, South Carolina Submitted Jan 2011
    Share ›

  • This is absolutely true. When I was younger I was put into an orphanage because of my father. Everyday when he had come home he was drunk and I could still smell the whiskey in his breath. My older sister, Allie, had died from his same attacks that he'd done to me. He beat me until I was black, blue, bloodied, and scarred and even then. My mother had abandoned us after 2 months of my life. So, there was no one there to help me get out of that mess. No one told me but my father. He would whisper into my ear the tragic loss of my beloved sister I have never known while slowly killing me as he did it. Now, I look back at what happened and hide in a corner and cry myself to sleep every night. I had finally turned 18 so they had to kick me out of the orphanage. I lived on the street for a couple years trying to get money to get a job. My life has gotten better and I have a husband and two kids and the age of 23. This poem explains the beginning of my life so well. Everyone should live.

    Janelle, Florida Submitted Feb 2011
    Share ›

  • This poem was absolutely touching! I'm very sorry. You see, I used to think that I was a poor girl with awful parents, but after reading your poem, I'm a spoiled girl. This really helps me be thankful for what I have.

    Denni, Texas Submitted Feb 2011
    Share ›

  • This hurt me to my bones I am 42 now and suffered my entire life from the abuse of my dad and being raped by his friend I have tried suicide a few times the pain runs that deep I am sorry for your loss I am crying right now for you I remember begging god to take me to heaven and to get him off me both of the monsters that took everything. I live through my Childs eyes now it's my only safe place to know I will protect their innocence thank you I care for you.

    Anthony Submitted Mar 2011
    Share ›

  • This poem has reached my heart, not many people make me cry anymore but when I read this I cried my eyes out, because I feel the same way. I haven't lost my sister to abuse but when I was little, me and my sister were abused by mom, thankfully my little brother got away and she never gets to see him. I am sad that I don't get to see him but I am glad he's away from that monster

    Jeri Beesley, Illinios Submitted Mar 2011
    Share ›

  • Thank you for this! Writing things that we hold inside does help, you went a step further and are helping others through your story. I am so sorry this happened to you and your sister. My heart breaks for anyone who has suffered and survived abuse. Take care and stay strong!!

    Elizabeth, Colorado Submitted May 2011
    Share ›

  • When I was 19 I got involved in an abusive relationship. I loved him. He was perfect for 2 years. Then his parents both died in a head on collision and he was in the backseat. He was devastated, as was I. He recovered physically, but not mentally. He was a totally different person, a stranger. He was mad and I tried helping. When I did, he would get mad and hit me with objects. He crossed the line when he threw a chair into my back. I fell down and broke my nose. He then started crying and pulling me close to him, but I was losing my vision. I passed out. When I woke up, I was in the hospital. He was in the room with me. He took my face gently and said he was sorry and asked me to forgive him and that it was a mistake and that he loved me. He told the doctors that I fell down the stairs. I played along. I was a fool for trusting him again. We were in his apartment and he asked to have sex. I said no, so he raped me. I called the cops and the rest is history...

    Kelly, Washington Submitted Jul 2011
    Share ›

  • I can identify with this woman, the beatings, the abuse of every kind broke me down. When I was an adult, the hospitals for mental illness, the medications of every kind kept me sleeping all day. Nothing worked because I realized I had to look in the mirror and say to myself it's over you're OK. Now wake up and hug yourself and thank God you made it through it all. Now it's time to live, laugh and enjoy life and that's exactly what I did. I got myself 2 dogs and love them dearly and enjoy life fully. No more meds and hospitals.
    And I want to thank the lord above for letting me live.

    Maria Ortiz, Ithaca, NY Submitted Aug 2011
    Share ›

  • This is so sad to read, yet reassuring and needed to be said. I am glad to have came across this poem. Because like you I understand and suffered the abuse of a child.

    Vickie, Tennessee Submitted Aug 2011
    Share ›

  • Your story is very touching and very sad too. Lucky you finally survived as for your sister at least we pray she is in peace now. I always ask myself if people do not have a loving and caring heart and feelings why they get married and want to have kids? And if some fathers are so rude and brute why their wives keep silent on their acts and do not just leave them at least by doing so they could keep the children away from their brutality or risks of being killed one of these days by a fatal blow? Why? It makes me feel how lucky my brothers and sisters including me we were for having such loving and caring mom and dad! God bless them wherever they are now (I guess in Heaven)! Even in my country there are cases of child abuse now and then and as we know one victim is always too much! We must help to eradicate this problem from our society once and for all! May The Almighty gives you the strength to carry on in life. God Bless!

    Soolekha Jepaul-Raddhoa, Mauritius Submitted Aug 2011
    Share ›

  • This is really good. I’m really sorry to hear that that happened. When I was reading this, I couldn’t help but read it as a lullaby. My head just wouldn’t let me read it as a poem and not a song.

    Taralynn, Albany Submitted Aug 2011
    Share ›

  • This has tears streaming down my face. Such a powerful write. I have shared it on Facebook. May peace be with you. What a brave soul you are... so much to endure = ( Thanks for sharing this with the world. I truly hope it will help answer other cries in the night. xx Vonne

    Vonne, Oklahoma Submitted Aug 2011
    Share ›

  • Hi I'm a victim from my dad I'm lucky though I got away when I was 3 because of my family but he still tries to hurt me and I'm 12. Your poem made me cry. It brought back memories.

    Celsey, Liversedge Submitted Mar 2012
    Share ›

  • Wow, this is a really deep poem. Would it be ok if I made it into a song? I think this would really touch a lot of people's lives.

    Caleb, Pennsylvania Submitted 6/11/2012
    Share ›

  • The moment I read this poem, I couldn't help the tears. I was so touched becuase I felt that that it was me you were referring to in your poem. I was raised that way. And now I'm grown but still treated as a child. I have a sister after me but she doesn't get the same treatment. She's better off. Poor me! That poem made me burst into tears..
    I'll treasure your poem and one fine day I'll give it as a gift to my sister.

    Sonia, Madang-Papua New Guinea Submitted 7/20/2012
    Share ›

  • This One actually made me cry. Really touching. I hope you'll overcome those bad memories one day and be happy, cuz after all this you only deserve to be happy.

    Take good care!
    Hugs

    Mariska, Nethetlands Submitted 9/11/2012
    Share ›

  • I'm so sorry about your sister my older sister was murdered too with a gun. I was locked up at the time. God bless our sisters she would be 15 today if she was alive because it's her birthday today the same day she was killed. I'm 12 now and finely at peace.

    Jane, Ohio Submitted 11/13/2012
    Share ›

  • WOW! was looking for a poem for my friend which just had a baby girl, and stumbled across this one. It made me cry having 2 children of my own, just thinking about kids really going through this is heartbreaking. To all the comments and stories following on this, I'm so so sorry for your pain, and reading what you have been through, no-one deserves that.

    Joanne, Toowoomba Submitted 12/13/2012
    Share ›

  • Hi:) I love your poem. It's gorgeous. I have been abused and this poem is literally perfection. I would love to talk to you sometime. You seem to be an amazingly strong person.

    Kara, Missouri Submitted 12/24/2012
    Share ›

  • I cried while I read this. I am so sorry this happened to you and your sister. Thankfully you were saved in time and it breaks my heart that your sister wasn't. But please try to be happy and move on from this horrific experience, I'm sure it's what your sister would have wanted you to do.

    California Submitted 1/8/2013
    Share ›

  • Hi My name is Yasmina. I don't know the name of the author of this piece but I am going to include it in an anthology I am making for an in-class assignment. Since the last of the author isn't published I'll just say that the author is
    "Yerzinia". Anyways I love this poem. It made me cry the first few times I read it. It was by like the 9th time I had read it in a row that I had decided to include it in my project. It not only is phenomenally written but it is REAL. It's not as if someone just sat down on their computers and wrote about something they didn't fully understand or couldn't grasp. This poem was written by a survivor of child abuse and is genuine and for that in order to commerate the author I will include it in my anthology :)

    Yasmina Lawrence, Canada Submitted 3/18/2013
    Share ›

  • It-the poem-left me in tears. It's sad, and it is REAL. You must of had survivors guilt. I probably would. My older sister-she's four years older than me-have a deep connection. I know I felt guilty when her and my stepfather had a bad relationship, he was verbally abusive towards her and overly nice and caring to me. So even though he and my mom aren't together anymore, but I still feel guilty about that. I also have a younger sister and I feel protective towards her. I remember how I would take her on walks when my mom and stepfather got in arguments where he was physically abusive towards her. I never wanted my sister to come from that kind of home, but I rather say me and my sisters came from a broken home than that we live in one. My apologies goes out to you over your sister.

    Rock Island, Illinois Submitted 3/22/2013
    Share ›

  • What touched me the most is that this poem is based on what your feelings say. But you are not alone. There are thousands of people that has siblings died because of abuse and now they seek justice by stopping it from spreading and never to be done again.

    Jm Dela Vega, Philipines Submitted 3/24/2013
    Share ›

Share Your Story

Name, Location: Required
Email   Required (Not published)
Facebook Profile: Optional
Story:

Check Your spelling!
No Emails
No poems
Help us stop spam by answering this simple math question
Two + Four = Required
  All stories are moderated before they are published.
Email me when my story is published
Email me whenever new stories are published on this poem
Why are YOU reading poetry?
Home » Sad Poems » Abuse Poems » Hush Little Sister
Custom Search
Top of page   
Feedback |  Contact Us |  FAQ |  Forums |  About Us |  Privacy Policy |  Advertise