Other Forms of Violence

This is what you get for chewing gum in bed
he yelled while frantically searching for the scissors
Fortunately for my ears he couldn't navigate
the kitchen drawers after drinking his breakfast
and his lunch
So he settled for the electric shears
still painful, drawing blood and scratching
but less likely to remove an appendage
or require another trip to the emergency room

Too tired of this to be scared anymore
I know Mom is no help, she never is
Been passed out on the couch since
God knows when.

Silently I let him remove my hair,
hoping not to provoke him
at least not more than usual
I avoid eye contact, but don't conspicuously shy from his gaze
and think
Tomorrow, tomorrow will be a better day.