One night as I lay sleeping A noise awakened me I heard my family fighting I wished it were a dream Emily, that's my sister, her frightened tears they fell She started to say an apology But my parents began to yell I saw my fathers hand as it flew up in the air I stood before my sister My eyes were like a dare Sweat ran down my face As if I stood in desert sand My eyes held warmth and love As he slowly dropped his hand.

-- Mandy (peach_cooler16@yahoo.com), October 24, 2000