Don’t Be Afraid of Daddy
Midnight, A cold night in November.
Mama braiding my hair with her hands so tender.
Hearing moans of fright in the air, she said,
That’s just your daddy and he’s having nightmares again.
Mama why you puttin’ up all them knives?
I need to protect you, your brother and I.
Then she cries, he wants to take us with him when he pulls the trigger.
I won’t allow a murder-suicide.
When I sleep and hear a creek I open my eyes.
‘Cuz he just ain’t in his right mind.
But mama told me, mama told me,
Don’t be afraid of daddy, he’s a good man.
He’s seen a lot of things that others couldn’t withstand.
He loves you more than you’ll ever know,
But he’s falling prey to his demons,
So who knows how long till he goes.
Flora Belle Smith
Bindweed Magazine 