I helped your mom
clean out your
apartment today
I thought I'd be
reliving
a nightmare
but baby, your blood
is all over this
city
& I can barely
breathe
in it

days, they melt
& mold and
settle
into weeks from
the night
we sat outside on
your front step
& you told me how
strong I was
but you were so
scared
that I was too
forgiving

you said you wanted to
take me and Davy
& get the hell away from
here

I laughed and said you
wouldn't last a day
with me
& my "crazy"
but you didn't believe
me, baby

guess I didn't realize
other peoples'
demons
are stronger than our
own

guess I didn't realize
I'd be doing this
alone

guess I didn't realize
some days are
better
& some days are
skin and bone