Older Children That Yell At Their Parents

the walls hum with voices
of a war no one sees.
the dinner plates rattle
as if asking to be smashed,
and the dog hides under the table,
eyes wide,
waiting for the next explosion.

they are lightning
without rain,
fireworks that never fade.
they yell because the silence
has eaten them alive,
a hunger that no bread can cure.

medications sit on the counter
like unspoken prayers,
but the children won't touch them.
they won’t believe in saints,
in gods, in doctors.
they are raw,
howling,
a choir of torn hearts
singing themselves to pieces.

the parents turn to stone,
old wounds stitched to their faces,
waiting for the storm
to blow itself away.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

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Tor Avatar
November 16, 2024 at 1:33 PM
Such a sad picture that is a reality James for some homes. You clearly painted a scenario that put you there in that storm. I love how you included the terrorized dog under the table. The pets suffer too with the screaming and yelling. It surely is a toxic environment. Thanks for sharing James enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Mclain Avatar
November 17, 2024 at 4:35 AM
Thank you Michael , can't quite rap my head around it, but some children do. And yes when brought to their attention deflection is next and they justify it as well these children do. James
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