Bang Bang Baby

BANG BANG went the ambulance doors as my mother was hurtled away with unforeseen complications. BANG BANG went the hand on my tiny back clearing my airways for the first scream of my life. BANG BANG went his fist on the kitchen worktop because the remnants of breakfast still lingered when he returned from work. BANG BANG went my toys onto the floor when he knocked them from my hands. BANG BANG went the feet up the stairs as the chase commenced. BANG BANG went the bedroom door as one parent went through after the other. BANG BANG BANG BANG.

BANG BANG went the neighbours hitting the wall. BANG BANG went the police at the window. BANG BANG went the doors on the back of their van. BANG BANG went his hand against the metal inside.

Bang bang went the fireworks in my happy memory… he wasn’t around, we smiled, we jumped for the right reasons.

BANG BANG went his knuckles against the door when they released him again because charges were withdrawn. BANG BANG went the school books he threw against the wall. BANG BANG went my heart when I was thrown next, just for being there. BANG BANG went the door behind me when he finally had enough. BANG BANG went door after door after door.

BANG BANG went my feet as I ran from the police with the powder and pills. BANG BANG went my fists when she said the kid wasn’t mine. BANG BANG went the judge’s gavel as he said ‘one last chance’. BANG BANG went the disgruntled dealer’s knock. BANG BANG went the gun and the lights went out. BANG BANG went the hammer knocking in the nails. BANG BANG went the soil thrown by the hands that never raised me. BANG BANg BAng Bang bang.