I sit on the sidelines,
Watching them laugh and play,
Barely even noticing me.
I blink and look away.

The tears well in my eyes,
As they bounce around,
I cover my ears,
And try to block the sound.

I steal a glance towards them,
The sight makes me feel worse,
They seem so alive and happy,
Without me; the curse.

I stand up and try to run,
But my legs - like jelly,
Disappear from beneath me,
And I land on my belly.

Suddenly there is a crash,
I know I’ve knocked something down.
I cry even harder,
My face locked in a frown.

My parents come rushing in,
Their feet pounding the floor,
When they see what I’ve done,
They go silent and head for the door.

I hear it slam behind them,
I know was it going to come,
Then just as I expected,
The screaming has begun.

They yell for what seems like hours,
Then they enter the room once more,
My mother doesn’t look at me,
And my father pulls me off the floor.

He looks into my eyes,
He knows it was a mistake,
But he still slaps me -
For my mother’s sake.

His hand strikes across my face,
As the tears continue flowing.
I jump out of his grasp,
And scream that I’m going.

I dive through the door,
My feet finding a quick pace,
Then I bolt down the street,
Glad to be rid of that place.

I don’t think about my future,
Or how I’m going to exist,
I’m just glad to be away from them,
And my father’s fist.