deepundergroundpoetry.com
Proper Daughter's Role?
*This is an abuse poem*
Dad staggered in, his eyes eerily lit,
The corners of his mouth foaming spit.
His demons planned an overnight stay.
I retreated to take the kids away,
Hide them in their rooms, safe in their beds,
I closed the door and they covered their heads,
As if blankets could mute the sounds of his blows,
Or they could silence my screams beneath their pillows.
Afterwards I hugged the little ones close to my chest,
'Till the beat of my heart lulled them to rest.
Only then did I let myself cry,
Only then did I let myself wonder why.
Why I didn't fight back, didn't defend,
Didn't confess to family or friend,
Had dad's demons claimed my soul?
Or was this a proper daughter's role?
Dad staggered in, his eyes eerily lit,
The corners of his mouth foaming spit.
His demons planned an overnight stay.
I retreated to take the kids away,
Hide them in their rooms, safe in their beds,
I closed the door and they covered their heads,
As if blankets could mute the sounds of his blows,
Or they could silence my screams beneath their pillows.
Afterwards I hugged the little ones close to my chest,
'Till the beat of my heart lulled them to rest.
Only then did I let myself cry,
Only then did I let myself wonder why.
Why I didn't fight back, didn't defend,
Didn't confess to family or friend,
Had dad's demons claimed my soul?
Or was this a proper daughter's role?
Published 16th Feb 2012
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Really touching piece, very powerful and tragic.
Amazingly written, you could feel the raw and painful emotion burning through the page.
I only ever hope that anyone in this type of situation is able to find the will to flee.
(Without wishing to sound like a generic answer to this kind of abuse related content)
Keep up the good work and most of all keep writing.
Amazingly written, you could feel the raw and painful emotion burning through the page.
I only ever hope that anyone in this type of situation is able to find the will to flee.
(Without wishing to sound like a generic answer to this kind of abuse related content)
Keep up the good work and most of all keep writing.
19th Oct 2015 2:29am
Very strong write. It's not a proper role if you have to defend yourself or anyone else in the family against a thug. This is grim but excellent work.
