My Pop used to hit me

A poem written several years ago, for therapy as much as anything else.

My Pop used to hit me
But only when he was drunk
He used to grab my hair
And call me a snotty punk

My Pop used to hit me
Always late on Friday nights
When the neighbors were in bed
That’s when we had our fights

My Pop used to hit me
For this reason or for that
When I turned fourteen
I started sleeping with a bat

My Pop used to hit me
He liked to hear me cry
After far too many tears 
I wished that he would die

My Pop used to hit me
While I laid scared and all alone
I forgot that he was human
A man of flesh and bone

My Pop used to hit me
I learned a lesson though
My kids will never fear me
My love is all they'll know




141 words