What was there

before
they left you
at the end of the field
with the boys

before
they raised
the belt

before
the accident

before
they blamed you

before
they told you to speak English

before
they told you to shut up

before
they called you a sinner

before
they laughed at you for crying
and hit you for not stopping

before
you had to run

before
they got drunk

before
they never touched you
or told you they loved you

before
they looked away from
how he touched you

before
nothing was ever good enough

before
they locked you away

before
you did, too?