"Starless Nights"

O the sadness to see a stream
floating like a windy wave
to be the waterfall
crashing down
on me,

struggling in the rocky pools
so dark you cannot see
the starless nights
to find my way
home again,

where he sits and waits
to say you’re late tonight
for the whisky jars
and cans of gin
I need .

But dad, it’s so dark in the woods
for me to see the winding path
without a light to shine
the jars are heavy
in my hand.

Don’t you ever talk back or a slap
Is all I hear from the strap
upon my back to cry -
Dad I’m your son
why me?

Today I ran away to find my mother
deep within the woods
by the woodcutters
to hide us away
from him,

the brute of a man gone mad
from whisky and gin
the gun in his hand
searching for us
as mom prayed -

"God please come and save us
that we may find our way
back to my dad
on his farm
to be safe.