the sound of a family breaking
it's that of thunder
and waves crashing
hiding everything
gets to be too difficult
and soon you call it quits
8 unplanned births,
2 marriages
and a suicide later
something's gotta give
they say a child wants nothing more
than to feel accepted by their parents
if dad isn't around, that only leaves her
head in the clouds
refusing to look down
weak-willed and beautiful
good intentions with even better connections
like the plague
one, two, three, four
crying and whimpering by the door
he'll stop
once she's back
or when the dope
drops him
to the floor
needles, spoons, cotton, dealers
play a bigger role
more to give than
children wanting attention
it isn't anything new
not anymore
memorized phone numbers
sickness and disease
excuses and lies
long nights and strange men
money and ***
sweating and shivering
multiple cell phones
mustn't ever die
who am I
to judge another
coming from a broken background
with a tattered mother
never had a stable house
let alone a place to call home
older siblings
calling you out
as an "inspiration?"
the only thing inspiring
is their next fix
tears
few and far
between these days
sympathy and empathy
they become foreign words
over-attachment turns to detachment
ultimatums given too often
hugging with shaky arms
tears welling to pleading eyes
she squeezes once more
with a kiss to the forehead
and they spill over
with a throat of fire
maybe that's where the name comes from
afterall, needing is second nature to them