I once won a prize for writing a poem about a child who was beaten. it was inspired by the middle verse from Rear View Mirror:
And when the sun descended and the night arose
I heard my father cursing everyone he knows
He was dangerous and drunk and defeated
And corroded by failure and envy and hate
There were endless winters and the dreams would freeze
Nowhere to hide and no leaves on the trees
And my father's eyes were blank as he hit me again and again and again
I know I still believe he never let me leave
I had to run away alone
So many threats and fears - so many wasted years before
my life became my own
I am in the middle of moving house, but if i can find it, i will post it here.
(It is in English but I will type it with a Dutch accent to please our European friends!!!
)