I think most children experience times when they must listen to their parents argue. I think children experience a special sort of helplessness at such times. Without emotional maturity they have no reason or mental abilities with which to dull the pain – they must feel it completely. Perhaps this does not entirely go away as one ages. Perhaps people are always little children, not only in the eyes of their parents, but in the presence of their parents. Here is a little poem that I hope gives some expression to the feelings of a child listening to his parents argue.
listen to the rain and the closed door don’t listen to them argue turn the music up not just in the room but in your mind where the argument continues long after the sound stops don’t feel powerless, child don’t listen to the words that you can’t drown out because they’re not in your ears don’t think about right and wrong and peace and making up think about clouds and stars and space don’t think you’re too old now to cry don’t think because thinking hurts don’t listen pull up the sheets over your head pretend to be warm pretend to be hugged don’t cry don’t be torn apart because they are
Meditations of Lambchop 