Daddy's home

He's coming again I can hear it Thud, thud Those heavy boots of his Loud pounding up the stairs I tug the blanket closer Shut my eyes Squeeze them tight Fake sleep Maybe he won't... No, it's never stopped him before Nothing ever seems to My screams or pleas My thrashing and whimpers Despite it all He keeps coming back The door swings open I know his routine Boots off outside the door Step in--once, twice Door closed quietly behind Shirt off and hung on knob Padding to the edge of my bed Silence before... "Daddy's home."