If You Lived Here...

If you lived here...

You would know. What it's like to grow up,

In a house that taught you.

Silence.

Taught you to be. What you needed to be. So as not to upset.

The apple cart.

If you lived here...

You would know. How many hours you would sit.

A wood stove. Burning hot at your back. Until you fell asleep.

Because you wouldn't.

Couldn't.

Eat your vegetables.

If you lived here...

You would be the cause. Of every voice raised.

In Anger.

Of every cross word said.

Across the table.

If you lived here...

You would remember plates.

Breaking.

And the picture that hangs. To cover the hole.

In the wall.