Moonless Nights
In another universe
Where my father chooses her over blood,
I hope she finds peace in knowing
That her children don’t grow to fear moonless nights
When he tumbles into the house,
Fumbles with his zipper,
His urine on the floor.
I hope she never learns of how stifling the air becomes
When drops of booze touch his lips.
How we’d cringe when he held anything,
Becoming deadly in his grasp;
A reminder of his power,
Best safe with empty hands.
I hope her children may never need to distinguish
The sound of booming thunder
On a cloudless night;
That they’ll sleep peacefully
As if they were truly children,
With no care in the world.
I hope she is loved,
Overwhelmed with love,
For herself–
So much so that she might dare to choose him over us.
I hope she can afford to be selfish
An unforgivable luxury as a mother,
But one I will gladly forgive
If we were in another universe
Where my father chose her.