The Cold Never Bothered Me

Disclaimer: I wrote this poem about a traumatic event in my life: my father's abuse and arrest. 

I hope it impacts and reminds you of the atrocities in this world, especially for young girls. 

The Cold Never Bothered Me

The crunching of fallen leaves

Mingles with the discarded wrappers

That line the city streets as my brother

And I watch you slide into the cop car.

 Let it go,

Let it go,

   Can’t hold it back anymore.

From our porch, I watch as they take you away,

Humming to keep the fear at bay.

My brother shivers in his cowboy costume.

As my mother wrings her hands,

Anxiously awaiting the CPS van.

Let it go,

       Let it go,

           Turn away and slam the door.

I wrap my knitted scarf tighter around my neck.

Your handcuffed hands make me almost forget

The pain and suffering I have endured.

I almost feel sorry, but

This is your reward.

Couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I tried.

My brother stands, his face a hopeless mask;

The wind nips at our faces,

Freezing our tears mid trace.

“I shouldn’t have said anything,”

He struggles to confess.

I wrap my arm about him and press him against

My twilight princess dress.

Conceal, don’t feel

     Don’t let them know.

The wandering eyes have found their latest prey

As they watch from the windows and the street.

There was a time when such a thing

Would have tormented me,

But, now, it is their idle words

I have grown to pity

I don't care what they're going to say

I ignore their stares and quiet my face.

Let the storm rage on

As I pick up our bags,

Desperately reaching

For my mother’s gloved hand.

A part of my life ended on All Hallows’ Eve,

Surrounded by policemen and pity candy.

We stand for hours amid the cool autumn breeze,

But what do I care?

Come what may;

    The cold never bothered me anyway.