Say Goodnight

We stayed up all night
huddled beneath the small bed
convinced he would appear
cloaked in a pissed stained sheet
dragging that gimp leg a step behind

Palms pressed firmly over our mouths
we heard his ragged breath
through the chimes blowing in the breeze
Felt the floorboards creak
beneath the weight of his swollen gut

"He's coming for us, isn't he?"
she whispered to me
"Shhh, he'll hear us and break through the door."
A grunt outside announced his presence
and a soft swish of a belt released

"I'll kill him," I thought
when the door squealed open
His black boots tracked mud
across the old hard wood floor
then stopped at the edge of the bed.

Her terrified squeal exploded between fingers
as his knees and fists hit the floor
Cold grey eyes peered across the short distance
untouched by the sick grin plastered to his teeth
His breath, a toxic wasteland, blew the eyebrows off my face

One large hand tugged hard on my leg
sent me sprawling along the splintered floor
Half second later he reached under again
Spotted the metal lamp atop the desk
Grabbed hold while she kicked and screamed

So drunk he didn't notice the cracks in his skull
til the blood pooled thick underneath his cheek
With the last twitch, our nightmare died
His dick still hard from the thrill of it all
hanging out of his unzipped jeans

Author's Note

This was inspired by a writing prompt I found in my email today.

Reviews

[Ashadan]

Impressive poem, the strong connection of the words and the message it reveals really made this poem- WELL DONE

[Michelle Coleman]

Thank you so much, Ashadan I love your name, by the way.

[Ashadan]

hehe . Thank you @Michelle

[Michelle Coleman]

😊 you're welcome.

[Sami Khalil]

Sad injustice but scary one for children. I sense some sexual abuse here. A powerful write on this subject...:)....

[Michelle Coleman]

Hi Sami. A violent home is, indeed, a sad and scary place. Even when there are multiple children as there was in this poem. At the end, I did reveal the intent of sexual violation.

When I was a child, I actually wanted to take a hammer to someone's head. So this is a way of allowing her the only sense of justice she could understand at a very young age.

Thank you so much for reading this heavy piece.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. You are welcome...:)........

[Mayank]

I expected something like rape, not sure if this was child abuse... but I liked the way you have written this, the choice of words is perfect while the imagination is raw. Good work.

[Michelle Coleman]

Thank you, Mayank.

The content is definitely child abuse. I am learning just how raw my imagination can be. 😊

[modtoddinc]

Extremely powerful poetry here... tough subject matter, in which you have captured the raw shrilling feelings and excruciating pain both mentally and physically that your characters are experiencing. Its impossible to look away from, to stop reading... and the graphic blow of vengeance in your conclusion is perfect. Impressive. Thank you for sharing with us.

~Peace, Todd

[Michelle Coleman]

Todd, thank you. I felt every word of this while writing. There could be no other conclusion for me.

[sereenaoutloud]

This write sent me tumbling into it! I physically feel my blood boiling and the anger rising as i was reading. I could feel my stomach churning with disgust! I would have happily cracked his skull (and a lot more) if that was my child was all I kept thinking !! Way too many children are victims to this and so many go unheard , their torture never known and their tormentor never brought to justice!!
fantastic write !

[Michelle Coleman]

Writing this made my stomach twist and my lungs clench. I do not have children, but I know first hand how it feels to be the target of childhood violence. It is a frightening and lonely shame-filled place. I did want to pound a skull at a young age.

It is true. Far too many children live their lives like this without justice served. Back in my day, the cops didn't even do anything except go to the house as a courtesy call. No one was ever arrested. At least things have changed somewhat.

Thank you so much for reading this triggering piece.

[sereenaoutloud]

wow i am so sorry you had to experience that, how awful, but i am so glad you shared this write! so strong and brave you are girlie! :))

[Michelle Coleman]

😄 thank you. It has been quite a journey. I hope to insoired there to write.

[Coyote Poetry]

A surprise story in the poem for me today. I liked the thoughts, suspense and the ending. You create a complete tale using so few words. Thank you Michelle for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Michelle Coleman]

Thank you, Coyote! I never had much faith in myself as a poet until last year. I need to do this more often and surprise myself. 😊

[Coyote Poetry]

You did very well and you are welcome.

[GreenEyedPoet]

I'm not even sure what to say to be honest. This was a not an easy read for me, because sexual abuse is something I dealt with as a kid.
Nevertheless it's a great write, it really draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Good job Michelle. :)

[Michelle Coleman]

I also was a child victim of child sexual assault as well as physical abuse. I understand how painful this is to read for those who have suffered. Writing it brought up a bit of emotion for me as well.

My poem Sunday School is about a particular incident I had as a child not knowing how to speak out.

Thank you so much for sticking with it all the way through and leaving a review.

[GreenEyedPoet]

I'm sorry that happened to you hun! :/
I can imagine that writing this would've brought up some emotions, hope it doesn't trigger you, I know that's no fun when it happens.

[Michelle Coleman]

The book I am writing has triggered me more. I look at it as free therapy. 😜

What I like most about writing these pieces is the amount of people who come out and talk about what has happened to them. One day it will not be taboo and victims will no longer carry around the shame of their attackers.

I am sorry you went through this as well.

[GreenEyedPoet]

Well as long as it doesn't cause you any problems then continue writing. :)
Sometimes writing is great and other times, at least for me it causes problems lol.

Yea it's great how people can feel comfortable enough to talk about certain issues and things that have happened to them. I've never really written about this subject, or what happened to me other then one small line in my poem Green Eyes. But I write about everything else - my self harming, my eating disorder, depression, anxiety etc.

It's ok, everything that has happened to me i believe happened for a reason. I believe without those things I may not have some of the great things and people that I have in my life now. Nor would I be the person I am today. :)

[Michelle Coleman]

I fully agree. Maybe one day you will write about those very painful experiences as well. Triggers are healthy when we give ourselves the time to deal with them. And sometimes needed support of others.

[GreenEyedPoet]

I don't think so lol. Triggers, if bad enough, at least for me are not good. I'm over most of that stuff though now. I don't cut anymore, nor do I deal with depression anymore either. Only once in awhile do I have anxiety or a panic attack though. And I'm still working on the eating disorder. I don't think I'll ever really write about the sexual abuse though, I really don't have anything to say about it.

[Michelle Coleman]

I am glad to hear that you have overcome so much. I know it has likely been a long touch road.

[GreenEyedPoet]

It sure wasn't an easy road. In fact last year around feb/March I almost ended things. Just couldn't fight it anymore. But a couple days before I planned to do anything, I found God, became a Christian and everything has changed since then. :)

[Einstein Noodle]

damn! what a prompt to find in ones mail .. eyow! .... this poem seethes with loathing, repulsion and contempt.. i want to smash him myself just for being so disgusting let alone his actions ... so graphic and unsettling .. so well done from my point of view .. whew!
E.

[Michelle Coleman]

I know! I was surprised, myself. Thank you so much!

[AaronFreitas]

Damn this is an awesome write Michelle! I loved it! You told an amazing story that kept me in awww the entire time and at the edge of my seat. You are an amazing writer Michelle :)

[Michelle Coleman]

Thank you so much Aaron! I had absolutely no idea I was going to write a poem tonight.

[AaronFreitas]

Well it was awesome I am glad you did :)

[Michelle Coleman]

Me too. I love stumbling into accidental poetry. Haha

[dan]

The spectre of child abuse, whether sexual or old fashioned beating of the body, bludgeoned till multi-colored welts decorate the child's stoically used-to-it body...I'm not sure what you mean by a 'writing prompt' but for it to inspire such a graphic depiction of adult on child violence- - - that must have been one helluva jarring prompt. No one who loves children and would never commit such heinous crimes against a child just can't fathom how anyone can do such egregious things...I commend you, Michelle, for putting this act on display in your writing, to remind those of us who choose not to think about such things to be mindful of such atrocities, remember the title of Pat Benatar's anti-child abuse anthem, "Hell is for Children," and to life a voice in prayer for such helpless souls. Thank you for sharing this with all of us. take care...dan

[Michelle Coleman]

"They cry in the dark, so you can't see their tears. They hide in the light, so you can't see their fears. Forgive and forget, all the while. Love and pain become one and the same in the eyes of a wounded child."

Pat Benatar was my childhood hero. That song, especially, made me feel less alone.

The prompt was the first lines of this poem. And then this scene sprung to mind. All my parents were physically abusive, though it was religion they drowned in rather than the bottle.

I understand why you don't want to look at things like this. It is painful. Unnerving. Unbelievable.

Those who abuse do actually love their children. They just do not know how to control their rage or manage their buttons. They more often than not came from violent homes themselves and need help. Which tends to be in short supply because society is too busy looking the other way while pointing fingers and demonizing. It is a sickness.

I knew this poem would be painful or uncomfortable for people, so I appreciate the time you took not only to read, but also review.

[dan]

Michelle, Maybe I misspoke. I didn't mean that I don't want to look at things like this, I think it (child abuse) is a self-perpetuating circle that takes generations down with it. I empathize enormously but don't really know a single way that I can affect change, do anything about it. I'm sorry you endured this, religious reasons or not. My mom used to give us a couple smacks with wooden spoons (pants NOT pulled down) that may be considered abuse today but I don't look at it that way at all. Each time I was smacked was for something I did and I felt the smacks were deserved. And yes, I too was a Benatar fan and that WAS my favorite song of hers. Tremendous write, Michelle. take care...dan

[Michelle Coleman]

No apology necessary. I understood what you meant. Truly.

I believe the best thing you can do to help is to live by example. Teach your children how to create healthy boundaries and defend them. If you do not know already, fami,I arise yourself with warning signs of a used children. Educate your children so they can reach out. Abuse also takes place in school throuh bullying. Give your children the confidence and support to speak out when they witness or become victim to bullying.

if you see a parent assaulting a child, physically or emotionally, step, forward and see how you can help. If the person becomes hostile rather than helpful, call the police. Remember every detail about the person you can. If possible, find out what car they are driving. Going the extra mile is what we need to help eliminate this widespread issue.

[dan]

Well, my only child is 32 with four kids of his own, my stepchildren are 44, 36 and 33 with 4 kids between them; they were all raised in loving homes and do not have that 'abuse gene.' And believe me if I witnessed abuse in public I'd probably end up arrested because I can be a little hotheaded in such situations. But at the very least I'll fire off the quickest 911 in history. It's a sick problem that needs a village to raise awareness. Thank you for taking the lead on that in your words and actions. take care...dan

[Michelle Coleman]

Then you are already doings your part😊 and those of us who have suffered thank you.