May 21, 20202 min read

MHA Poem 21: Abuse

ABUSE

The greater the POWER the greater the ABUSE -Edmund Burke

I watch my sister practice the way she walks in the mirror

when she thinks the door is closed.

I watch my dad lick his lips when bends over

when he thinks nobody can see him.

I watch my mom look away as my sister cringes at his touch

when she can’t bear to look anymore.

I watch my sister stop wearing dresses and skirts

whenever she is home.

I watch my dad passing her bedroom door at night

whenever mom is asleep or downstairs.

I watch my mom avoid being in the same room as us

whenever she has the ability to do something else.

I watch my sister run from her room crying

after she screamed “no” dozens of times.

I watch my dad racing behind her yelling her name

after he buttons his pants back up.

I watch the red and blue lights pull up to the house

after my mom throws glass downstairs.

I watch my sister stand in front of a room of strangers

as she tells them about the terrible things my dad did to her.

I watch my dad laugh and shake his head

as everyone glares at him sitting by an attorney yawning.

I watch my mom sitting next to him with her head down

as if she didn’t have a choice to sit anywhere else.

I watch my sister pack her bags on her last day at home

but she doesn’t even say good-bye to anyone.

I watch my dad let her walk through the front door

but he can’t resist a peak at her as she leaves.

I watch my mom ignore everyone in the room

but she can’t hide the fact that she’s crying.

I want answers from my sister about the things she said

even if it means that I have to listen to scary stories.

I want the truth from my dad about the way he treated her

even if it means that he might treat me differently.

I want to ask my mom if she feels safe in our home

even if it means that everything might have to change.

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