Stranger Poem by Anna Greco

I had a blank stare,
as she fought off your grip.
I screamed at you, feeling my heart tear;
your anger did more than tip.
You yanked and pulled;
she fell to the floor.
I'm not fooled,
you treated us like men in the war.

Tears spilled down my eyes.
I wanted you to leave and become calm.
I hoped that all I watched were to be lies,
but then my brother's ear met your palm.
All he wanted was to defend her.
As I watched the action unfold,
I felt more than fear
and I was too broken to do what I was told.

Nothing I did worked.
You screamed at us all.
Everywhere you lurked,
the tears continued to fall.
I collapsed to the ground,
my breathing became weary.
Everything was bad all around.
My body was becoming difficult to carry.

I tried to call the police.
I didn't know what to do.
I can't do anything on my knees.
I just wanted to help you.
You didn't listen to a word.
I couldn't stop crying.
Everything felt too absurd.
I just felt like dying.

So much sickness.
I was shaking.
You didn't care, so emotionless.
Our fear for the taking.
Everything was lost as your words began to unweave.
Strength to hold was something I lack.
'The next time you do that, I want you to leave,
and don't even think about coming back.'

Goodbye, Daddy.

4/17/10