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Childhood

I don't remember any of the good times, 
They were few and far between,
Only the bad times,
The three week sulks,
The temper tantrums, 
The silence of meal times,
The brooding menace of each waking day,
The not knowing how each innocent word,
Would fall on those temper attuned ears,
The rare smile,
The rare laughter.
Above all, 
The silence.

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