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.

[An owl on the moon]

Such an overwhelming sadness swept over me as I read your words...the ache of knowing this is all too real for many dear ones... the pain, the brutality, the life without genuine love... Makes me just want the world to somehow wake up... Such a powerful, moving poem...

[mandy]

thanks craig. i'm glad it moved you. it is all too real a life for some children.

[Damien Davison]

Heh, very nice, a lot of people could relate to this. I tripped up with the flow at these lines
"He reached out and touched the hand
of little brother, hiding beneath the bed"

But it was good all round!

[mandy]

thx damien...do u mean,,,about those lines,,u aren't sure that i meant the boy's little brother? i might need to work on that,,,

[Damien Davison]

No no I just meant too many syllables hehe, the flow got a little bumped...

[mandy]

ok, thx, i knew it needed more polishing, i will keep working on it..

[Damien Davison]

Anytime!

[mandy]

better??

[Damien Davison]

Heh, yes! great! :)