Dear God, Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace

I don't know how to address the woman
who with-holds my last paycheck still
so i sent her a note today, self-
addressed, stamped envelope inside
signed with only my mark.

The weight of that paper
Took the strength of three women
To carry...Please mail me my money,
and return the kids' library books.
Which is to say...CAN'T YOU SEE THE WAY
THEY'RE SHRIVELLING BENEATH HIS TERROR?
WAKE UP WOMAN! GET THAT
LITTLE ONE
OUT OF THERE...GET THEM ALL OUT.
YOURSELF TOO. NO ONE DESERVES
THE ABUSE
THAT HE PUTS YOU ALL THROUGH.

The creak of hinge on the the post-box door
Is a ghost now. I am a zip-code away, living in silence
while the children continue to scream....
How on earth am I to go about my day?