The silence of childhood

Don't make a sound.
Watch the clock
And sit still
Until his demons are done raving.
The perfect ride to hell.
Don't make a sound
Or it will add
To the violence
That spills out from inside him
Onto us.
Don't add to the stress.
Stitch up your mouth.
Just be silenced.
By everything thas he says.
"Be your best not to upset me
I am who I am.
You will listen to me
And shut
Yourself
Off."
I am nothing more to him
Than a picture for the outside world.
Not a daughter.
Not a child.
Not his.
I am not even a name
But I never wanted to be.
All I wanted was to be heard.
So I rebelled.