Family Portrait

Family Portrait.


He comes home late, surly and disorderly.

Tears streaking from his eyes because he's so morbidly

Depressed and continues to drink unlawfully.  

He notices I'm awake and sits me down forcefully.

He tells me to come close as he whispers to me reassuringly.

Then he thrusts me around the room, beating me unremorsefully.



He said its my fault that mum decided to leave.

He pulls me closer as he venomously adjusts his sleeves.

He said he regrets the day I was ever conceived.

He lifts me up towards the ceiling with supreme ease.

Grasping at my throat making it difficult for me to breathe.

He intensifies his grip whilst gritting his jaundiced coloured teeth.



He loosens his hold and my body slumps to the floor.

I inhale distressingly, not knowing how much more I will have to endure.

He holds his head in his hands and stumbles towards the door.

I crawl to the side cabinet to gaze at our family picture that once he tore.

Thinking to myself could it really be true.

Am I the reason why mum isn't with us anymore.



Not all families are the same.

You may have the same blood, share the same last name.

No matter how hard you try, there is just no love to be gained.

You could each end up taking turns to shift round the blame.

Realising eventually that all you bring each other is grief and pain.

Sometimes the smiling image on the wall,

Is just a picture in a frame.



Kela lewis-morin