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.