A Cold Night

Slipping quietly under the warmth of the covers
Trying to escape the harsh effects of the bottle
She hopes that the warm embrace of the blanket
Will protect her heart from yet another wound

Squeezing her eyes shut as tightly as she can
She pleads desperately for her dreams to begin
And take her away to a far away place
Where shouting and fighting cannot penetrate

Hours seem to pass as she struggles to sleep
Each lingering moment filled with anxiety
Wondering if their bodies hafve had their fill
Causing them to crave the comfort of their bed

Hearing the approaching footsteps of anger
She buries her face deep within her pillow
The door abruptly flies open and lights go on
She is told hastily to pack her child-sized suitcase

Rubbing her weary eyes, she stumbles out of bed
As the others are angrily shaken and awakened
Whispers are shared between the frightened children
As they grope in the dark for their belongings

Unsure of which belongings to hurridly pack
She grabs for the comfort of her favorite doll
Frantically tossing it atop of various clothes
She slams shut the suitcase

Hearing the furious shouts of the alcohol
They run downstairs as quickly as they can
And are told to line up against the cold wall
She and her siblings sit trembling beside each other

They listen in fear, as they are sternly informed
That they must now make a critical decision
Knowing that whatever decision is made
They will ultimately hurt one or the other

Wide-eyed and clenching their suitcase handles
They listen as cruel words and accusations fly
Staring blankly ahead of them and seeming uncaring
They are careful not to show any sign of emotions

The night has been long and the air cold
Yet the chill in her heart far outweighs that of the air
Sleep demands her eyes to slowly close
As she leans wearily against the cold wall

She awakens in the early morning hours
To a voice filled with hints of the night before
She is told to get up and get ready for school
Not a single word is uttered of the previous night

As she steps into her classroom, she is tired
Her eyes testify to her lack of sleep
She longs to share the secrets of the night before
Yet she trembles at the thought that she will be at fault again

That night, as homework is finished adn dinner is eaten
She is told to go upstairs and get ready for bed
The stairs seem endless as she climbs them
For this fragile child dreads the events of the night