I wrote this poem in January 2024 in trying to speak to the perspective and feelings of a child caught in a life of abuse of one of their parents by the other. Can you imagine? Kids are resilient but this is incredible, and we need to listen. I meet so many children during the moves I was on, and admired their strength.
I saw my mom crying the other day
I knew she would want me to stay away
But I gave her a kleenex and a hug
She grabbed me and called me her ‘little bug’.
This is not the first time that I’ve seen her when she’s sad
It happens after yelling and hitting by my dad
I usually run to my room and put a pillow over my head
The noise is awfully loud and fills me with such dread
I don’t understand why my dad behaves like this
He hits her one day; the next he is always giving her a kiss
He tells her that he loves her and needs her in his life
Yet he hurts her and causes so much strife
I am afraid that it’s because of something I have done
But my mom just hugs me and says I’m her favourite son
She says she’s sorry for the pain with which I live
And hopes that someday I will be able to forgive
I am caught in the middle along with my little sister
Living in a fragile calm before another twister
I hope that my dad can find peace in heart and mind
Maybe then he can always be both loving and kind
I am just a young boy and should not have to live in fear
Neither should I be wiping away my mother’s many tears
Please someone help my parents to live and show their love
I can’t take this anymore and would rather be above.