Domestic

In the smothering darkness you sit
and wait. Breathe shallow
and steady, whilst you count the time
till those loud angry words break
through your thick cocoon
of shadow. When those burning lights flash on,
and you scream; as your eyes feel
as if they might blister without the clinging shelter
that surrounds you. In these few moments
before reality rears its ugly hollow face,
hungry eyes watching your every move
so as to ensure no escape, and tongue dripping
malicious words of pain.
This is real, you cannot run from me.
In that time you huddle in your fantasy,
and pretend those aren’t tear stains
painted down your cheeks,
and that lip wasn’t split from stifling screams,
and that mommy and daddy will get along once again.