Dysfunctional Family

As a former foster Mom, i have seen it all.

 

With trembling lips and terrified eyes

the little boy stood waiting.

He must have done some small thing wrong,

cause Daddy's look was hating.

 

A brutal slap across his face

knocked him down to the floor.

Then he was yanked back to his feet,

and slapped around some more.

 

"That will teach you, you little b*****d,

that things are done my way.

You better listen when I am talking to you

and do just what I say."

 

Then Daddy walked out and grabbed a beer,

left him there with hurting head.

Reaching out, he touched the hand,

little brother, beneath the bed.

 

His Mama knows what goes on here

but doesn't know just what to do.

She would like to have a better life,

but she is afraid of him too.

 

"Hey, woman!  Fix me some food!

I'm going out for the night."

She hurries around to do his bidding,

trying to avoid another fight.

 

He finishes eating, slams out the door

without a backward glance.

Should she take her two little boys and run?

Would they even have a chance?

 

She hugs them close and gives them love,

while trying her best to think.

Then reaches for the bottle there,

to pour herself a drink.

 

She feeds the boys some supper

and puts them down to sleep.

"Boys, just do what your Daddy says."

She is trying hard not to weep.

 

So there she sits, alone at last,

another drink in hand.

It helps her get through another day

doing the best she can.

 

She knows her husband has some good

buried underneath the mean,

but she just settles for the way it is.

It's all she has ever seen.

 

Reviews

[Claire Twinn]

I thought the same as Damien when reading this. It's got great feeling and descriptions but it doesn't flow as smoothly as it could. You need to get the same number of syllables in your rhyming lines. You could also try writing prose poetry, where you are free to concentrate on the words.

[Mary]

powerful and true! It isn't easy to leave such a situation, and more often than not there really aren't enough safe places for families to escape to. The mother isn't weak, she is in a desperate situation and doesn't see a way out. I agree with the previous review, however- a fine tuning of the syllabic structure would be helpful. Very powerful message!

[Jack Strickland]

Great poem Mandy, this hits home so much with my dad growing up. It really brought back memories. Thanks for writing a super poem, love it!!

[Mark]

Isn't it just amazing what we will put up with? My mother's brothers and sisters are all scarred to this day from this sort of treatment. My grandfather could be a good man, but he was spoiled and used to having his way and alcohol made that worse.

Great write again Mandy. haven't read any of your stuff in awhile and I apologize for that. You have a great sense of rhyme and rhythm, it flows naturally even with such a difficult subject.

[Felicity's Eve]

W.O.W. Story of my life. Very touching and relatable. Wonderful write :)

[icelandicblue]

This is so powerful! So many stay in abusive relationships because of that good they believe is hiding beneath all that hate. Great poem.

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

Mandy, so much truth here and you have penned the pain in excellent fashion.

[mandy]

thank you, Neva

[Ose Mountain]

The sad but true was told... It be hard to make a poem sing with such sad news.
Well said Mandy, I heard you loud and clear.

[Coyote Poetry]

A very sad poem. Hard when people accept abuse as okay. Hard for woman to run when they have no place to go. Thank you for sharing the excellent poem.
Coyote

[mandy]

thx coyote

[Sacha Davison]

There is great content in this poem! Many people can relate to this topic, which is unfortunate. A very touching piece indeed.

[mandy]

thanks sacha!

[Enid Blake]

yeah I agree with below, the sentiment is really spot on. There are a couple of instances where the syllables stopped the flow.
I really loved the last verse, that really kept it real :)

[mandy]

thanks