Daddy

Your shadow haunts me

On bright, sunny days

When the warmth on my skin

Should be enough to thaw

The ice you left in my veins

You tower over me in my sleep

Figure shrouded in darkness

Looming at the foot of my bed

I hide under my blankets

But you follow me into my dreams

Your rage is pestilent

A virus toxic to its host

Spreading infection with your fists

I’ve found no vaccine for this disease

Spitting contagion with cutting words to their throats

Your eyes sear my skin

Even now miles and years away

Their brand is a burning thing

I try to cover with ink layers deep

But I still feel them scorching

In all the empty spaces that remain

#poetry #freeverse #personal #childabuse #trauma