With age.

It started at age 3,
But i didn't see it then.
Late night wanders with my dad, 
Meeting with strange men.

"Hello misses, how are you?"
The pretended like they cared.
Bags and money handed around,
But not an ounce of me was scared.

The more I grew, the more I could see,
Mam wasn't safe anymore.
One punch, two punch, three punch,
She was beaten to the floor.

In stepped little me,
Hit, kick, punch, i tried to help.
Hiding my sisters from the scene,
As they let out a yelp.

With age i grew even wiser,
The truth was crystal clear.
His addiction had gone way too far,
Between the drugs and all the beer.

You know things are not right,
when you can't stay in your own bed.
The addiction has defeated him,
He could easily end up dead.

One day, two days, three days,
Everyone is asking "can we go back?"
Decisions were mine to make,
But would there be another attack?

The last time was the worst,
Phones smashed up off the ground.
I slap you, you slap me back,
Now i'm glad you're not around.

Dead? No just homeless,
You're in a hostel now.
We tried and tried to help you,
I'm not longer asking 'How?'

You choose to stay on that path,
Though you've now lost me for good.
I'm now happier without you,
Call it freedom if you would.