An amputation of privacy--the door, the wooden sentinel, ripped from its hinges, Courtesy of The Freak of Infinite Proportions. Missing sentry's twisted damaged frame--taunting me, mocking me. When I reach to close an absent door--only empty, resentful hands Violent shifts of human flesh, Audible bedspring friction--so annoying Every minutiae of sound oozing from their bedroom shoved into my unconscious ears. Jarring squeals erupt from their ancient, archaic bed--aching, pleading to be put out of its misery. It's not what you think. Just the sounds of the merciless morning. My mother, the reciprocal vampire, waking before dawn's sharp appendages pierce the distant horizon. She springs out if bed, the elastic mammal, in anticipation of the solar approach. And it begins... Tossing on her threadbare robes, Royal attire vaulted from the agonizing work the day brings. Serving her King, The Freak of Infinite Proportions. Attending to his vanquished subjects, "Wake up, time for school." Flushing, Scrubbing, Bleaching, Rinsing Mending, Saving, Scrimping, Pinching Living below her hard earned means Anything to keep The Freak of Infinite Proportions subdued, pacing inside his cage of controlled routine. Her inflamed, Flaming right shoulder, throbbing from Over Use Self Abuse The Masochist Housewife copyright 1996 Melissa Aellos for My Mother

The Masochist Housewife (draft no. 8)

My Dad is Dean Moriarty