from the mid 2000's & incomplete. 4/2026 (c)
Cruelty attended my birth
and when Mama said she didn’t want me
Cruelty claimed me.
Cruelty even attended my grade school—
knuckle-sandwiches to the gut,
a little terror on the playground.
Cruelty was worse at home.
Cruelty loved me
more than the others.
I got the belt—
my brother got the buckle.
Cruelty’s love was fickle.
Cruelty drowned my cat.
When my cousin molested me,
Cruelty wished
he’d thought of it first.
I married Cruelty to keep him close.
He pawned my jewelry,
ran up my credit cards.
He couldn’t stand my success.
There was nothing about me
Cruelty didn’t criticize.
Sometimes I grow tired.
But whenever I leave—
he’s still there.
