But don’t let him near the kids

But don’t let him hurt you

But don’t bend like this

But don’t hurt your sister like this

But she hasn’t been the same ever since

But he’s going to hurt you

But I still hear him

But shouts shouldn’t echo this long

But I started having nightmares

But he told you he hated you

But he didn’t stop when you told him to

But he wrote you out of the will

But I thought you would stay with me

But I thought I wouldn’t be alone

But you were supposed to stay with us

But you heard me crying, wailing, and sobbing

But mom never cries, never loud

But I’m so, so afraid

But—

But I’ll never tell you a word

But this will all blow over, and you’re all too eager to forget the scars

But, it can’t blow over

Can it?