Hushed

he remembered the voices
most of all
hushed

the knock on the door
brought forth
humilation
silent
defiance

he was sent upstairs
by his mother
and sat amongst
abandoned football
magazines

as his father was questioned
by the hushed voices

from his bedroom
he had crept
down the stairs
and looked through the
slightly opened door

the hushed voices
had laughed at his father
threatened him

he had heard his mother cry
and wanted to protect her
but the 8 year old
was powerless

but he heard his father
shout
and loved him

he heard them get up
to leave
and watched as their grey
coats swished through the
hallway

they said they would be
back

it was the 70s

it was an irish thing