"Trying to Heal my Soul"

So sad a time
to remember abuse
by my alcoholic father
to scream at me,

when bottles were dry
his temper was high
to beat me black and blue
for trying to sneak away,

there under the bed
where I lie and vomit
on the floor in a puddle
of blood while crying.

My life now ruined
from years of pain
as a tortured soul
to remember,

the failure there
when running away
expelled from school
to live on my own,

with daily thoughts
in words that I write
as I hide my mind
to heal my soul,

from bitter memories
the black and blue
on my face and back
from years ago.

Not a nice sight
for a sober man
to see a child
hiding from reality
to survive a dream.