Catch-22
My only sanctuary
Away from the madness
The crisis
The agony
Within myself
The only place for me
When trouble is at hand
Parents arguing
Threatening to leave
Drunken father saying
'I love you,
Forgive me'
The tears that pour out
My heart just wants to stop
Crying out for relief
He opens the door
Keys in his hands
'Forgive me'
He repeats
As he slowly retreats
My mother
Oh how she jumped
Grabbed onto his arm
And held strong
Even when there seemed to be
No hope.
She waves me away
Struggling with the heartbreak
Within
Running upstairs
Sobbing my grief out
Confused by the pain
All around me
Crying out my eyes,
I hear shouting from down yonder
My siblings gather
Afraid of the outcome
'Be strong!'
Urges my soul
Father's voice booming
Calling for his daughters
Drunk and emotional
From what seemed to be an eternity
I crept into my sanctuary
To find the calm wrap around me
No more tears
The only place for me.