hide from my mom,
she gets meaner at night
she won't remember by morning
or at least that's what she'll say

pretend to be asleep
my heart gives me away
racing like running in my mind

just to get away

from the beer smell
the unprovoked rage
and at times, her fist

from the tears I cry only at night
when other kids can't see

how lonely I am.

and how worthless I feel.