But on That Night

Dad staggered in, eyes eerily lit.
The corneres of his mouth foaming with spit.
His demons planned an overnight stay.
Mom motioned to take the girls away,

hide them in their rooms, safe in their beds.
We closed the doors, covered our heads,
as if blankets could mute the sounds of his blows
or we could silence her screams beneath our pillows.

I hugged the littlest ones close to my chest,
till the beat of my heart lulled them to rest.
Only then did I let myself cry.
Only then did I let myslef wonder why

Mom didn't fight back, didn't defend,
didn't confess to family or friend.
Had Dad's demons claimed her soul?
Or was this, as well, a woman's role?

-Burned by Ellen Hopkins