father mine

I grew up with little to no father

For him family was just a bother

In the bottom of a bottle he housed his soul

We always knew though never told

So when I fall asleep I always see

A young boy standing next to me

Thru tears he loudly shouts

My father is trapped at the top of that house

Quickly I run to the open door

And up the stairs thinking no more

Past the grandfather clock which always strikes three

Avoiding the broken window facing the oak tree

Taking the opposite stairway of the woman in the wheelchair

With sagging eyes and graying hair

To the tower I speed less than one stone

But when I arrive I’m always alone

From outside comes laughter

The boy from window view

Is covered in cockroaches

My vision askew

I flee from the tower as the chiming grows near

And rising inside me is a burning fear

The old woman crawls toward me

At inhuman speeds

About to strike me down right where I stand

Then from the darkness I am seized by a hand

It pulls me from the stairs and flings me outside

And warns not to come back for fear I might die

Before me my father, his face unchanged

Has pain in his eyes as he slowly turns away

The door slams shut and leaves my mouth agape

It was thanks to his hand that I was able to escape

I stand and walk toward the woods

Head to my home, where I should be

Where mother and sisters are waiting for me

My eyes to the door for one last glance

“I love you” I say, taking a chance

But no words are returned

No voice but my own

I wonder what happened and where did he go

But as long as I dream I am never alone