The following poem appeared in the Ann Landers column in The Royal Gazette in 1999.

I got flowers today

It wasn't my birthday or any other special day

We had our first argument last night

And he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt me

I know he must be sorry and didn't mean the things he said

Because he sent me flowers today

I got flowers today

It wasn't our anniversary or any other special day

Last night, he threw me into a wall and started to choke me

It seemed like a nightmare

I couldn't believe it was real

I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over

I know he must be sorry

Because I got flowers today

I got flowers today

And it wasn't Mother's Day or any other special day

Last night, he beat me up again

And it was much worse than all the other times

If I leave him, what will I do?

How will I take care of my kids? What about money?

I'm afraid of him and scared to leave

But I know he must be sorry

Because he sent me flowers today

I got flowers today

Today was a very special day

It was the day of my funeral

Last night, he finally killed me

He beat me to death

If only I had gathered enough strength to leave him

I would not have gotten flowers today.