Eyes Shut Tight

Month of May
sees child's play
of finger puppets,
on drifting moon beams,
through gauzey curtains,
on robin's egg
and violet walls.

Lilac scent
on spring time
breezes,
waft through screens,
and urge an innocents'
peaceful sleep.

Child heart beats.
Thoughts are sweet.

Brothers, sister,
all tucked in,
with Mama's cosy
touch and flannel sheets.

Hush, quiet now,
it's school
tomorrow.

Black Knight's serpent
engine purring,
glaring headlights flash
ignite the room.
Creaking metal door,
bangs the nodding night.

In wide eyed dread,
lids clamp shut.
Fists clench tight,
catatonic toe to
frightened head.

Dear God,
say he's had a few.
The drink will
make him mellow.
He'll go to bed
that way.

Kitchen door
slams with force,
so brutal,
house and all
that's in it,
quakes.

Dervish Daddy,
breaking loose.

Crashing, smashing rampage, Devils' wicked,
whirling, wacking.

Eyes shut tight.

Pretend slumber,
on reverse moon beams,
soaring skyward, to drowse
on stars lofty pillows,
in celestial silence.

Star's fire consume fear
to ash of nothingness.


Vera Anne Wolynsky

VERA ANNE IS A GOOD GIRL
AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN