My submission for a prompt from another poet

When the sun goes down

In every American town

Some little ones are wrapped in love

Others must endure a shove

Hateful words eroding their joy

Hearts broken just like a toy

At the hands of dark monsters

That they call mother or father 

But they just want to feel safe

To not have rage in their face

Yet the spirit is strong and endures

But not without deep scars

Because being a victim isn’t something

That you can grow out of; stunting 

We fit our broken pieces together 

From all the storms we’ve weathered 

Forging a mighty shield

And it’s truth we’ll wield 

Ever fighting against abuse

For no one deserves to be used