The Tree House

She lived with her mother and new step-father At 12 years old she had a younger sister and brother She was watching 60 minutes one Sunday night On the show a pregnant younger girl gave her a fright Because when she was alone with her step-father To the back yard Tree House he would take her And in his lust he would force her to do terrible things. On the next Monday when she came home from primary school She saw her step-father’s truck there and panicked at his home rule She threw her bag down and ran to a friendly next door neighbour In a burst of tears and blurted out, “I won’t go home anymore! ” The neighbour wondered why and called the police to sort it out We attended and it became clear the step-father had brought it about And an investigation started into the step-father fiend. There was in no admission to his deeds and how his lust for her exceeded No rational explanation was given and no thought for her was conceded They charged him that day for offences too cruel for the girl to endure But in the end of it all there was no conviction called or her safety to ensure When it finally settled the mother decided to end their destroyed marriage For her the girl’s safety was important and for the sins of the father to disparage The only task left to her was pulling the Tree House down. © Paul Warren Poetry