Father Dear

To my dad.

I hear the front door slam.

His loud footsteps echo off the walls.

Just by the sound of his steps I know he's upset.

I hear him scold my sister loudly.

His voice pounds in my ears.

The volume begins to slowly rise as my little siblings deny him.



I hear my brother begin to cry.

A sound I know all too familiar.

He sniffs his nose loudly and tries to silence his sobs.

I hear him being scolded again.

Much harsher this time.

My brother whimpers in submission.



I hear him continue to yell,

And I wonder where my mother is.

She hasn't come home yet.

I hear my brother sob again.

I feel sorry for him but stay in the other room.

Out of sight, out of mind.



I hear him start on my sister.

It is her turn for punishment.

She is older than my brother but younger than me.

I hear her reply quietly but she doesn't cry anymore.

She is used to his anger.

Where is my mother?



I hear his hateful footsteps coming down the hall.

The hairs on my neck stand.

It is now my turn.

I hear him approach behind me.

When he talks his voice is quieter,

But the tone remains.



I hear the rage deep within him.

I wonder again where my mother is.

Why hasn't she come home to save us?

I hear him return to the living room.

He begins to yell again.

What a surprise.



I hear my sister whine in protest when he turns off the T.V.

He tries to help my brother with his homework.

Which we all know is a mistake.

I hear my brother start to cry again.

When he gets frustrated and yells some more.

Why isn't my mother coming to save us?



Finally, I hear my brother's door slam.

I hear my sister go quiet.

I hear my father enter my brother's room.

I hear more crying and my brother plead.

Then

I hear nothing.

Author's Note

I managed to save a couple of them but yeah...

Reviews

[i.am.the.sun.]

i never had this growing up, and i'm so glad, but it still pains me to know things like this go on happening. while this isn't your best, it's almost a show stopper since it's such a close to home piece - you don't know whether to clap or to think twice about why your eyes are watery and why you've shifted your position so many times. good job, but i'm sorry you have that experience to draw on.

[John Stussy]

Wow. this made me so sad to read. I hope it's fiction, that you don't really go through all of this.

[Nana Carmine]

This is really sad. I know how it feels to have your dad be like that. I'm sorry Niki. But it is beautifully written- great work

[Brette Medb]

Wow... there was so much emotion behind this, the ending was so terribly sad. I think this was more of a story than a poem but then again that's what a really good poem does, it tells a story. Amazing write.


Brette

[Michael Lopez]

sad.
poor little guy.

[T.B. Odin]

Very touching in a way that it brings forth the readers emotions to feel for the family. To reach out and help. It takes an incredible talent to convey words in such a manner that they expose another persons inner self. Well done. This eye opening event is so vivid that if "Father dear" would read it he could see the reflection of his own undoing. Perhaps change his ways from understanding. This is absolutely a motivated piece of work. If you take the first line of each stanza and combine them you get unrivaled imagery that begs the reader to feel for the writer. Again this is remarkable talent and the read in a whole is designed to perfection. A powerful subject, with powerful description, and powerful play on the readers emotions.

[James Mayfield]

Ouch. Very vivid. I've lived through abuse as a child, but I've never had to hear the people I care about go through it too. This was a terrifying tale, well written and packed with emotion.

[Victoria Lee~]

What a heartbreaking write. The sadness and feelings of hopelessness are well desribed in this terror filled family violence writing. I do hope your mother comes home and restores peace in the family. Events such as your writing describes will haunt the children thier entire life. The ending hit home as I used to hide away in my room too. I am always here if you need to talk.. I remember the anger and the fear all too well. Outstanding work my friend. I wish I had an answer. Never did, that is why I stayed in my room. You will be free soon!