Red Poem by J M. Basey

The worst is over now,
Finally I can breathe again,
For the next three hours,
I don't have to feel any pain,

That is until he returns,
From his work,
If he has sensed that I've moved,
He will start the beating,

And he won't stop until,
I sincerely apologize to him,
If he's not satisfied,
The beatings will start,
All over again,

I know when I'm safe for a while,
That's when I start bleeding,
Then he just leaves,
And comes back with tissues,

This is the only time he's nice,
One hour a day to wipe away the blood,
That's the only time I love him,
The only time I truly love…

…Dad.

By Jay Basey © 2006