Orderly

There was seemingly so much order in the house

I didn’t hear the echoes of screams or shouts

Silence deafened the din

The ticking clock was the only sound within

All those books lined up stoically on shelves

Couldn’t hold back his chaos from hell

Every room was clean and neat

Her living nightmare uncontained by crisp white sheets

Grandma, you lived with abuse all those years

Warrior-strong, I never saw your tears

Grandpa’s explosive anger was unjustified

You finally have peace now that he died

But you can’t turn back time

You can’t take back years of your life

From your struggle, I have learned

I depend on no man for what I earn

I prioritize how I feel inside

Over how others perceive my life

Spring cleaning starts in my mind

My relationships are full of ease, not strife

I know you had your reasons

And I thank you for your sacrifice

I honor you by living my best life