Unsheated
they return so vividly,
you unsheated a knife
letting words better you
yet when a harmless eight year old replicates,
he is beaten.
it is sad to remember
you chased her to tears
laughing off the havoc you caused
because her accusations justified your response
just as it justified you smashing that bottle to intimidate him.
it is disturbing to dissect,
your fist against a door
as she locked herself away
knowing you would draw her back
setting a precedent for his acceptance.
it is heartbreaking to consider
he copied you grasping the handle
you twisted his wrist,
treating him like 'a man'
she stepped forward protecting her child.
it is agonising to express
he ran off in hopes of relief
returning to a blow he did not predict
another stepped forward in futility
she could do nothing against the brute force.
it is traumatic to try
you lied about taking him to a station
instead handing him a blade to spar against yours
the impulse of a child facing the intent of man
all while she thought he would be safe.
it is insuperable to forget
he speaks proud of you still
blaming himself for your 'reactions'
thinking he should have acted more 'maturely'
telling her too late, what was already done.
Copyright © Keshan Govender | Year Posted 2019
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