Imprints Poem by Ray Andrews

He screamed at me and screamed at me
When I was just a lad
He threw his considerable anger my way
It left me very sad

I'd hide away all alone
In deep and dreadful shame
A father who screams at his only child
Inflicts such terrible pain

I felt alone and full of fear
Of the fire his voice would bring
My fear then spread it's tentacles
To almost everything

As my life progressed-
A rage built up in me
Others knew of my anger
Somehow I couldn't see

My father died when I was young
And of this I need to tell:
My mother and I were both relieved
To be rid of the living hell

The effects of all the anger
Took it's toll on mother dear-
She drank herself to death
My guess it was from fear

It's now been several decades
Since that vile strife
Ending all the rage and fear
Became the meaning of my life