Above the TV
you can hear
your parents row;
their voices sharp
as knives.
You lay in bed
wrapped tight
in sheets and blankets
pretending sleep.
His voice bellows;
hers shrieks.
You open your eyes
and stare in the semi-dark.
Street lights filter
at the side of curtains.
You hope the rowing stops;
you hope it will not erupt
into your room
and up on you.
The TV blares
in contrast
to their voices;
a smack, a cry,
then weeping.
The TV is switched off;
just soft whimpering
seeping the air.
You close your eyes
and feign sleep.
You lay on edge;
listen for other sounds.
Just her whimpering softly
in your dark.
A whole world turns
out there; a moon glows;
stars shine beyond
your sight.
A night
within a night.
Mar 9, 2018
Mar 9, 2018 at 2:10 AM UTC
Above the TV
you can hear
your parents row;
their voices sharp
as knives.
You lay in bed
wrapped tight
in sheets and blankets
pretending sleep.
His voice bellows;
hers shrieks.
You open your eyes
and stare in the semi-dark.
Street lights filter
at the side of curtains.
You hope the rowing stops;
you hope it will not erupt
into your room
and up on you.
The TV blares
in contrast
to their voices;
a smack, a cry,
then weeping.
The TV is switched off;
just soft whimpering
seeping the air.
You close your eyes
and feign sleep.
You lay on edge;
listen for other sounds.
Just her whimpering softly
in your dark.
A whole world turns
out there; a moon glows;
stars shine beyond
your sight.
A night
within a night.
