Anger Unbridled

Screams blanketed
muted trumpet sounds
drifting from the radio.
Thumps and shouts
marched down the stairs.

My heart hammered.
I dropped my doll and stared.
Mamma's favorite horse statue
trembled as thunder
opened the door.

Run!
Sister dragged me across
the wet grass and
over the sand box
into soft arms.

Sirens shrilled outside
the neighbor's house.
Shaken but safe, I
listened to muffled talk
until car doors slammed.

When silence prevailed,
we crept back
into the house and
stared at the shattered
horse amidst the rubble.

Music crackled from
the upside down radio
the day the lady from
our apartment upstairs
lost it.


© 2006, Arlene Knickerbocker