Your eyes were my escape.
Your laugh reminds me of happier times.
Your smile tells a story.

A story of another tortured soul.  
The way you carry a burden of family.  
The reason you do well in school.

The way you listen to rap tells another.  
You listen to stories told by people who live their dreams.
You dream of something better.
You refuse to drink, saying it never got anyone anywhere.  

But I know you.
You want to forget the world.
You want to forget the pain.  
You want to forget the life you live.  

Somehow, you never can.
You could never forget your father left.
You could never forget your financial troubles.
You could never forget your mother’s long hours.

I know you carry a heavy guilt.

You carry it with you everywhere you go.
You try pleasing everyone.  

Moving mountains, and carrying the sun.

But it’s never enough.