Goodbye Childhood

I was kneeling on the floor
My sister laid singing on the bed
When the bedroom door swung open
To reveal two faces filled with dread.

Come downstairs you said because
You had something to say
Now please it's important
It cannot wait all day.

Downstairs we walked into the room
As our Mum started to say
The thing is kids, your Dad, and I
Can no longer carry on this way.

It's nothing that you've done.
There's really nothing else to say.
But now you have to make a choice
Go with your Dad or stay.

My sister ran out crying
And thundered up the stairs
Then came the sound of slamming doors
And the crash of broken chairs.

I remember standing silently
Heartbroken little lad
As I thought about the family
I felt I no longer had.

I turned and walked out of the room
And approached the bottom stair
I thought my life was over then
I thought life was unfair.

I walked with heavy heart and legs
As each step seemed to age me
Lost was my childhood innocence
No more little boy I'd be.

Copyright © Matthew P. Nicholson 2007

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