easy on me

that day, like many
is burned in my mind
of course it was hard to reach the top shelf
money talks, about what, I never learned
didn't get paid because of the ladder
it stayed in the closet
I still hate going there
the dust stayed too
on the top shelf, I mean…
harsh words,
meant as twisted encouragement,
from such a sweet face
are never easy on me
I tremble so quickly…
the next time it was a single streak
on one stupid window,
out of sixteen!
don't get out the hairbrush, mama
I'm only eight
I did the best I could
go easy on me mama
don't use that tone of voice with me, young man
but I'm only eight
you do a man's work
you get a man's money
incompetent children get nothing
but a good talking to
(or the whip)(or your bloody screaming sarcasm)
(but this I learned later in life)
but I'm only eight, mama
go away from me child…
easy, to spit curses
on the heads of fragile kids
me, I'm only eight, mama




easy on me
8 march, 2006