Slamming doors,
Shattered plates,
Angry curses,
Words full of hate.

16 years,
Grown up all too fast,
Shielding everyone else from the inevitable blasts.
Broken soul,
Busted heart,
Watching her entire life fall apart.
Hide the kids,
Protect the dogs,
Pray for mercy from God.

12 years old,
Knowing the time when the burden will be hers is just down the road.
Struggling with her identity,
Just wanting a way out..

4 years old,
Enough fear to make her blood run cold.
Hiding behind her older sister,
Her guardian angel,
Protecting her from harm.
Staring at the monster that she once knew,
Covering her ears when a door is approached,
Because she knows of the inevitable slam.

Closed doors,
Glass in the trash,
Floor swept clean with soft, quiet murmurs.
All at once it seems,
The dragon has run out of fire,
And the storm has ceased.