Don’t Open Your Eyes

Don’t open your eyes, mother tells him,

Leads him to a room, that looks pretty grim.

He hears some noises, through the wall,

Shouting and screaming, like a big brawl.

Lifts up his hands, to cover his ears,

His worry for mother, drips out in tears.

After what feels like hours, her feet appear,

And mother is saying, darling, come here.

He opens his eyes, and sees her face,

It’s flushed, and her hair’s, all over the place.

Follows her out, through the old door,

As quick as he can, at just age four.

They go outside, on the way to the bus,

Mother gets him some sweets, makes a big fuss.

It’s a routine they follow, every day,

After all, mother’s got, their bills to pay.

Lost Little Stray

She steps out the door, leaves parents behind,

So sick of them both, being unkind.

She’s only fifteen, but better off alone,

No possessions other, than a mobile phone.

Out on the street, the weather’s so cold,

Her resolve now wavers, not feeling as bold.

But she’s stubborn, this girl, just like her dad,

So she won’t go back home, despite feeling sad.

Sleeps in a car park, no one goes to look,

Mums in denial, dad just reads his book.

Thought she’d be back, by morning the next day,

But she’s still on the street, a lost little stray.

Her hairs all messed up, she didn’t brush her teeth,

But it’s still not enough, to make her end their beef.

Leaves the car park, and sits outside greggs,

The pavement gets so cold, she can’t feel her legs.

Strangers giver her money, or offer her a bake,

Politely declines, says she’s not on the take.

Back home her parents, dial 9-9-9,

Panicking that she might, not be so fine.

Officers start, to search for their child,

As she fends for herself, out in the wild.

Night falls again, it’s time to bed down,

Wishing that she had, her pink dressing gown.

But she’s got nothing, and no one to help,

When a weird man approaches, can’t even yelp.

Too scared to say, please leave me alone,

Frozen in fear, can’t reach for her phone.

When it becomes clear, this man is a foe,

She struggles and shouts, please let me go.

He just sneers at her, but then there’s a shout,

An officer says, what’s this all about?

The man tries to flee, but there’s no escape,

Ends up in cuffs, his mouth still agape.

Meanwhile the police, check on the girl,

From adrenaline and shock, she starts to hurl.

Back at the station, her parents still wait,

For any news of, their dear daughters fate.

They sit on the seats, as a girl is brought in,

She looks real rough, like she’s been on the gin.

Even in this state, they recognise Claire,

The dead giveaway, her red curly hair.

Dad rushes over, and gives her a hug,

She clings to his chest, all warm and snug.

After a while, the three head back home,

Mum runs a bath, gives her hair a good comb.

They don’t talk that much, all still in shock,

Wishing they could, just turn back the clock.