How do you care for the soul of someone

who has lived in fear so long

that there is little room for hope

someone

who faces death and injury where love and support should live

someones who are taught to submit to anger in love and respect

someone too little to understand why

mommy will never come home

Who will quiet the anger now?

How do you reach the soul of someones

who have never known the freedom to dream

the honor to dare to become the persons they truly want to be

someone who accepts family violence as a way of life

someone who teaches children to do the same?

who will stop the cycle?

will death stop the cycle?

How do you love the soul of someone

who equates love with pain, betrayal, broken promises, broken dreams

who finds it easier to mistrust, hate, lie, break?

Domestic violence knows no boundaries

it is common in all races, all religions, rich or poor

it is here right now.

when will it end?

where will it stop?

with you? [horizontal ellipsis] with me?

Prayer: God help us. Grant us the wisdom to lead without judgment, to comfort with genuine love, to discern the truth, to protect the helpless, to empower the powerless. Teach us to replace anger with love, to heal, to restore life where there is little hope. Help from us, one person at a time, to stand for a change that will eradicate family violence from our society, violence from the world.