i was never beaten with a razor strop

burned with cigarettes
or punched in the 
ribs.
 
my old man
never once
put a hand on 
me.
 
he'd be on the couch
with a bottle
staring at the wall.
 
i was just a little shit
trying to find my way
but he wouldn't so much
as acknowledge me.
 
i stopped trying
at much of anything
for a very long time.
 
now
as my marriage dissolves
the wife pleads
how can you be so cold!
don't you care?
 
i take deep breaths
stare at the wall
feeling like a 
stone.
 
all i can think
is how i wish the old man
would have 
smacked me around a bit
 
something
 
anything.

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Justin Hyde is a parole officer living in Iowa.

Last update : 15-10-2007 05:00

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