---

Sleep - exhaution envelops me
The gentle rocking of the bus drawing me closer
Humming tires on pavement lulling me into yesterday.
.
As the miles pass one by one
Memories flood my semi-consciousness
Pushing their way out of the darkness in my mind
.
A childhood spreads out before me
Full of sadness, hurt, regret
A loss too enormous for a child to understand
.
Tears and frightened faces
Hands held high to protect the face and head
From the certainty of a parent's rage unleashed.
.
Shining faces to the world we present
A poor and sorry group
Trying hard to hide the bruises that we got.
.
Did you ever really see us as the children of your blood
Or were we just the triggers
To vent your wrath and pain.