From the Hand

From the hand I gained the strength,

Of what it means to love a child

And why I rarely ever saw

My precious baby smile.

From the hand I learned the skills

That got me by each day.

How to receive the respect I deserve

And make them do as I say.

Ignoring my heart in fits of rage, 

For the hand told me what to do.

I laid that hand on anyone

And it didn't matter who.

I learned to fight.

I learned to yell.

I learned to take control.

I believed it then as I do now, 

It has taken over my soul.

It is the very reason I sit here alone 

In this darkened silent cell

And for it all 

I have to thank

The hand that gave me hell.-