Tears blended with global warming-induced LA rain
as I lined my Dad up as I usually do on Sundays
our only bonding time together
Except on this unusually cold and dark day in the 'hood
things were different
My Dad just looked me in the eyes and confessed
that he's hit my Mom before
when I asked him straight out
I've seen it all before
but have mastered the art of forgetting
Yet how can I forget truth told through eyes of tears
Dad's packing up for another lonely night
at the local Travelodge
where the night before he lost sleep
stayed up writing Mom a letter she later burned
You see, my Mom's anger provokes my Dad
to the point that he throws her off the bed
knocking her out unconscious
So Mom kicks his ass out
My Dad left with nowhere to go
a broken family has no open doors
I reach out to him for once
Never had a relationship with Pops before
But as I get older I realize they're all I got
No matter what he does
He's blood
Can't turn my back on the man who gave me life
Love my Mom, I got her back
But I know the wrath that packs heavy blows
Dad's got problems he's willing to face
Can't help but join the fight
to preserve all that's left