what happens when you're a child
and your mother sits silent
in a room
staring at you
her mind dwelling
in some secret
unreachable place

even your name escapes her
                     _

what happens when
your father vanishes
in a haze of smoke
a sea of drink

a toppled monarch
in the kingdom
of your youth
      _

and what happens
when your heart breaks

the universe tilts
stars blink and fade
your heart shatters
like a miniature army
of glass soldiers...
broken, scattered everywhere
a  thousand    armless     heroes