Day My World Stood Still

Fractured prisms reflected the light as blood her apron, The mirror was first to see the deed and all the mayhem. Sunlight screamed thru the only window, making the room seem smaller still, Even with the summer heat I felt a sudden chill. The kitchen floor ran red, my father’s back did too. Mother stood in triumph like a cold starring statue. I never heard a sound ‘till someone yelled ‘My God’. Time seemed to be on holiday. All motion slow, unreal, odd. Sirens and red lights soon filled the parking lot. The excitement charged the air but we children seemed forgot. I never saw the ambulance as it sped away. I didn’t even. Get to say goodbye to this sad and dying day. Mother never swayed, she continued to stand her ground. She never made a sound. I don’t think she heard a word. I pulled my brother to me, he wiggled and pulled free. He went to stand by mother, that’s where he most wanted to be. I looked around the room, where could the baby be? Through the blood she crawled unaware of the violence shaping our history. That was the day my childhood died. I had o grow up fast. I learned right then about cruel life. As my world erupted into a volcanic blast. The fallout lasted for so long. That memory was seared into my brain. Never would I trust my mom again. Every day I lived in fear. When would her anger turn to rage? I saw that look in her eyes sometimes, like an animal in a cage