River of Pain

Johnny's home

drunk again

quoting from 'the rights of man'

it's midnight

working late

job he hates

rage he can't communicate inside him

Susan's roused from her bed

to frozen kitchen

silent without protest

half asleep

food on stove

threat and insults

a rain of blows...

screaming hell

Oh you feel the shame

oh you feel the pain

when there's nothing you can do

you carry it with you

Susan tries

her best to hide

the blues and purples around her eyes

with make up

she gets the kids

dressed for school

they all pretend

it never happened

little children bury deep

awful sectrets they must keep

inside them

damaged daughters

damaged sons

in every one

Oh you feel the shame

oh you feel the pain

when there's nothing you can do

you carry it with you