The Last Night He Came Home

Every single day I'd wish for his return
In the end it would be his departure I'd yearn

In the bleak of night I find myself awaking
All my small ears hear is the glass breaking

Heart pounding, strain the mind to think
Stand in the doorway; in his hand I see the drink

Grab the hand of my little sister
Hold her close and kiss her

Feet moving, no matter where, can't get any farther
A child, all I  hear, the painful pleas of my mother

His footsteps drawing closer
Her screams growing louder

Head throbbing, thinking it through
Run to the bed, the covers they flew

Doors slamming screams in the night
All I hear, the last of my parents’ fights

Tears stream down my face as I hear her cries
They fall harder as I hear him tell her lies

Once, twice, three times he hits the door
Inside the bathroom I hear her sink to the floor

My sister’s tears are the last straw for me
Come out from my covers to face my father and plea

A crying five year old girl, he sees her
Looking into his eyes, see the change in his demeanour

Turns away from the door, to face a young life
He walks slowly, his grip loosens dropping the knife

Scared to death from his cold embrace
Strangle a cry as he wipes the tears from my face

They fall again as he tells me he loves his family
As my little sister finds her way out of safety

Wrapped in his arms I can’t bare to understand
This can’t be my dad, who is this man?

He sits us on his lap, holds us tight
Tells us mommy and daddy are just having a little fight

One last goodbye, one last kiss
He I would always miss

Stands and walks through the doorway for the last time
It was that night I had to say goodbye to the father that was mine

Down the stairs and out the door
My mother emerges and we cry more

Next time, I’d be dressed my best, holding that basket
Looking at my father as he lay in his casket

I’ll always remember that night in my room
The last time he came home...