angry past / empty future .
tell those stories, sir.
i pretend not to see you
emptying bottles.

an explanation i won't give.
i promised: "you will
not ever meet my father."
he stared, curious.

ptsd.
he hasn't shown his
fists; hasn't once forced his lips.
but i'll always flinch.

dismissive hands.
apologies jump
from my tongue, regardless of
their dismissive hands.