Linked haiku
by D.J. Simmons

I don’t remember
Seeing tears from my eyes fall
From Dad’s disrespect

I don’t remember
Hunger hitting my belly
Mom always cooked food

I don’t remember
Yelps forming welts on my skin
From abusive hits

I don’t remember
Heart breaking disappointments
Over and over

I don’t remember
How and when I learned to smile
But my mom was there

I don’t remember
Being scared of falling down
Dad taught how to land

I don’t remember
Eyes not being bright with joy
When you got back home

I don’t remember
Creativity’s limits
Just encouragement

I don’t remember
Feeling reluctant to talk
Once I knew my place

I don’t remember
Being angry while punished
I should have behaved

I don’t remember
Screams coming from the bedroom
At least not bad ones

I don’t remember
Alcohol breath mixed with smoke
Not around the child

I don’t remember
Having too bad a childhood
Like most people do