Soldier

Watching my father inhale beer,
I've trained myself to look elsewhere.

Hearing my father terrorize my Grandma,
I've trained myself to stand up for her.

Feeling my father hurt my small body,
I've trained myself to duck and fight back.

Watching my father throw objects,
I've trained myself to clean it up.

Hearing my father's footsteps chasing me,
I've trained myself to run fast.

Feeling my father push me around,
I've trained myself to stand back up.

Training for survival with my father,
Has trained me for bigger, better things as well.

I'm like a soldier ready for battle,
A young woman ready for life.