Not a Child

I don't remember happy things that made me laugh with joy. Like catching frogs and climbing trees like a proper little boy. Walking around in broken shoes and dirty clothes that smelt Going to bed with no food and beatings with a belt . Parents that would drink and be gone all weekend. Having to play make-believe because I didn't have any friends And when Christmas came no smiles and happy noise Money spent on getting drunk not getting any toys. I got used to this way of life because that is how it was meant to be I wonder what life would have been like with a different family.