Last Night   6/27/08


They are fighting again.
A pattern is forming.
I'm seeing a trend.
The signs are alarming.
Very soon their voices will raise -
I am only eight and I am afraid.
In the kitchen the tempers are flaring.
They don't realize the burden I'm bearing.
Mommy has shattered a dish on the floor.
Daddy's fist has gone through a door.
My mind tries to drift to a place and a time
when we all got along and everything was fine.
Its getting harder and harder to find, for
Father is angry and Mother is not kind.
She is screaming at the top of her lungs -
something about money, women, and drugs.
Now his violence will be aimed toward me.
If I stay still and quiet maybe he won't see.
My little sister is starting to cry - she doesn't
understand, she doesn't know why.
We should hide in our room and play a fun game.
And try to block out our family's secret shame.
Tonight will be filled with pain and with sorrow.
Hopefully we'll get to see the light of tomorrow.