To the tweaker who just ate lunch On the side of a 55 mph highway I'm not staring because I'm judging I can judge without looking I'm staring because I want to know If my eyes can slow down your limbs Like the arms of a fan So I can see that you're still somebody's daughter I'm staring because I understand Never mind the gawking eyes of midday traffic Never mind the glares of the gas station clerks I understand You're just having lunch I understand The bugs, the tics, the needs You are not a stranger to me You are who my sister used to be You are what the father of my niece Is trying not to be anymore You are every shady character Who ever knocked on my door asking questions I do not know your name But I know you I know you were once somebody's daughter And I hope you still are I'm not here to pass judgment Definitely not here to help I know all to well there is nothing I can do I just want you to know I know And so does any body you're trying to hide it from And they'll be waiting up for you Whether you come home or not Your mom hasn't had a full nights sleep Since the last time she saw you I hope for her sake It was this morning And I know you won't believe this But grown woman and all Your dad just wants to bounce you on his knee But what I know most of all Is that your little brother Can't go two hours without crying He's got ulcers again And he misses you You probably see him the most But he hasn't seen you Since you took your first hit He misses your advice He misses your hazing And all he wants is a sober hug And I'm sure this isn't what you wanted to hear During your picnic But it's everything I wish I could've told my sister Even if she wouldn't have listened I'm not staring to judge I'm staring to care And I don't presume to know what addiction is But I do know how it feels I just watched you barely cross the street I can't imagine you making it Wherever you're going tonight So if you die I hope there's **** in heaven But if you by some miracle don't I hope rock bottom's not to far down And that one day you get clean And start to make amends So you can remember what it's like to dream And if that day ever does come Do me a favor Sit on your father's lap Sleep in your mother's bed And hug your little brother Because there's a girl he could use some help with No matter what you've done Or how much pain you've caused Through the twitching The nervous glances The weight loss You're still somebody's daughter I know you I understand you Enjoy your lunch
A collection of poems by me is available on Amazon Where She Left Me - Michael DeVoe http://goo.gl/5x3Tae