In 89 the heat seemed hotter
here in south Alabama
when waves of rays on asphalt
black created nightmares
on my every day.

my wife and children
in waves of misery drifted away from me.
An unfair judge said since I was hung
they were to be hers.

I stood there with my pants at my ankles
feeling castrated.
I helped create my children. Where was my jury?

Eventually, through honesty, love
perseverance, and continuously holding my tongue,
my children came back, knowing the truth.

I love them.

people come and people go
it’s the truth be told
don’t count on it was something
i learned at 8 years old
which doesn’t mean apathy
it simply means empathy
never no reason to meet anyone
there’s a part of you in everyone
vice versa
they make you who you are and
they make your life into living
not a day goes by when
i don’t think about giving because
i’ve been given too much
and i don’t think that it’s enough
and yes that’s all my fault
but i swear i’m human at heart
i never wanted much
so forgive me, God
and forgive me, myself
“a good person”
on my headstone
and nothing else