Colin Casbolt

CColin Casbolt - "The Bard"

This one is dedicated to our daughter Dani who has had to put up with years of abuse in her personal relationship and doesn't seem able to find a solution. As we talk to people about this situation it seems that many women suffer quietly from this social evil which society tries to ignore. I don't know the solution, but only feel that we should be as kind and loving as possible to women and children that suffer through living in violent relationships.

For Dani
Did you ever say "Hi" when she passed by
Her glasses hiding her blackened eye
Did you ever say "Hi" when she let slip
The ugly cut inside her lip
Or did you ever notice her pathetic, sad chipped nail
Just one sad little effort, as punched out she fell

Or did you talk to the "macho" man
Who beats his wife up because he can
Who practises by smashing up his child
Because it's crying drives him wild

We all know him, but we all ignore
The ugly side of this bully - bore
He's at the pub, he's at the game
I bet for sure you know his name

But when his wife's home for a spell
We all know she's not really well
She's stuck at home as half her face
Is black and blue and out of place

Our silence is a dreadful sore
"But he's our mate - not him next door?"
But still we all ignore the side
That these evil bastards have to hide

Did you ever once think to stop for a while
Hold her hand for a second, or give her a smile
A little support, a word with no fuss
Some positive backing, just a little from us

We live in a world of uncaring for pain
The women, the children, the homeless, the lame
So please, just for one moment remember each day
That some day in the future, we will all have to pay

Please say "Hi" when you see her pass by....