The way he treats you

I hate the way he treats you, Mummy.

The way he makes you feel small

when he slams doors and kicks holes in the wall

or he stands close and rubs up against you.

And when he throws his dinner at you and shouts

this is fucking horrible or this is fucking cold

and you duck and it hits the wall behind

I wish I could tell him don’t you treat her like that.

But I’m just a kid.

So, instead, not to add to your troubles

I become quiet and undemanding

and somehow l become small

just like you.