Family

I remember that day all too well
It was the day I was put away
The initial reason was pointless
What it escalated to was justified

I came home with dad
You and your dad showed up
You just couldn’t keep your mouth shut
You reached your boiling point

You just couldn’t hold in your anger
You just kept flapping your useless lips
Then you made the mistake of swinging
At my dad

I saw you make contact
I watched dad fall like a sack of potatoes
I don’t care if your only 17
That’s my dad

I flew at you before you could take another swing
“You have one shot you better make it count”
You swung at me and missed
I unleashed

I lost count of the punches I threw
I just remember the sound and feel for your skin splitting
You blood coating my hands
My anger is gone
And your able to leave on your own will

That’s what a family is
No matter what we are there for each other
We may not get along
But when there is a crisis
We come from all corners to help our own

I sit behind these bars
I don’t regret it at all
I did what I had to do to defend my family
I’d do it again without a hesitation

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