UNDER THE STAIRS

 
After years of innocence eyes staring at the brawls
My uncontrollable body matured into a crawl 

I am two years now and able to move around free
But when dad gets home it's time for hide and seek

As long as I can recall there was always a brawl 
Mom stands five feet high, and dad a towering wall

They would argue and fight about the weather report 
And in a minute or two 
His hands were firmly clasped around her throat 

Now I can run and hide from the fights
But the worst of them all comes late at night 

Just after I was tucked in my bed
An unknown object came inches from my head

Tonight is the last night you will put your hands on me
My mommy screams at the top of her voice 
Pointing a gun at my dads head she whispered 
You give me no damn choice 

Bang! Bang! Bang! The gun rang out 
Then the world was silent, 
Not another word came out of daddy mouth

I grabbed my blanket 
Shivering with fear
As I raced to my distant planet 
Under the stairs.

Wilford Barker.