Fragile bodies of bruised flesh
bones cracked
He scouts for your weakness.
His strength though, more bearable
than the sounds he rapes your ears with.
Slammed doors,
Pathetic locks,
Screams unrelentless as his fists
on door but at least better thanhis
beer on breath.

But thin wood is no match for a man this broken.
You pray
and are thankful you have not yet
forgotten how.
Knees to chest
waiting
Until door breaks
or mother comes home to save her children and man in anguish.

Whichever comes first.