For Now, Not Forever Poem by Cal Riley

Here's to us,
Our kids,
And our futures, where they don't hear doors slam and raised voices

They'll never see there dad
Play the games you thrive on
I'll leave every war, wounded
Before I let my babies see the monster you want me to be

Your in a 1 player game
You thrive on spectators becoming team players
It's you vs nobody
You're playing with yourself

You can cause me so much pain
By keeping them from me
But time will tell, the truth prevails
All that they can't see

Mine until I die and even then
I'll have left my marks
A tiny part of me will love
Forever in their hearts

The damage that you do
Will only be felt by them
And I'll be there waiting
With a space so safe
They'll have no choice but to heal.

Time is on my side
I intend to use it smart
Patience is the key right now
Tactful is my art