Dreaming...

Yelling. So much yelling.

I stir from my sleep, and discern the voices

of a woman telling him to leave

the shouts get louder.

Banging on the wall.

I get up and walk into the scene

I watch in disbelief

as a grown man

slams his pregnant girlfriend

into the desk

driving her deeper

into the floor

his heavy hands meeting her

body

over and over

I watch in horror

taken back to when I was 13

Suddenly there is the sound of

shattering glass

everywhere

the lamp broken on top of her

as she shakes with hurt and rage

Their 3 year old son is passed out on the bed

not even stirring

Is he used to this

or is he just a heavy sleeper?

She gets up

and punches him

yet he is relentless

You see that?

See how f*****g crazy she is?

He yells, asking me. Unable to speak

I shake my head and attempt to glare at him

but it is meaningless.

I know how I look.

Terrified.

And then he leaves.

I try to help her up but she brushes me off,

tears in her eyes.

"I'm fine. I'm fine." And she locks herself

in the bathroom

sobbing.

I look over at their son.

He's sleeping peacefully.

I shudder.

How many times does he have to see this

to grow used to

the chaos 

so comfortable

he doesn't awaken

from his dream...