"Do you remember?
Remember when you were so small and
Full of innocence?

Do you remember?
Remember when mommy said to never
Pick up on her bad habits?
You promised her with bright, beady, orbs of happiness,
“Yes mommy! I promise I won’t!”

Yes, to never wanting to inhale the dark cloud
From a little stick of cancer lying on the cluttered coffee table.

Yes, to never wanting to swallow the strong,
Burning liquid from the crystal bottle sitting on the counter.

Yes, to never wanting to feel the little pinch in your
Arm and end up feeling like you’re soaring.

Yes, to never saying no to anything and anyone, everything
And everyone.

Promising mommy you’ll never harm yourself,
Promising mommy you’ll never give revolting, disgusting,
Desires for another human being.
Promising mommy to stay smart and stay away.
Stay away from all of those bad habits of mommy’s.

But..
Mommy’s heart drops when she finds her
Angel in the bathroom.
Acting on the urge to feel that pinch in her arm.
A small whiskey glass with that strong, burning, liquid
Inside, on the counter next to her.
A cancer stick hanging loosely from
Her pale, dry, cracked, lips.


Fingerprints, lip prints, and all of her DNA
Follows in mommy’s bad habits.
“You promised...” Mommy said, voice hoarse.
Her daughter, her angel, her once a little ball of positivity,
Energy, happiness, and innocence.
All gone,
All because of picking up on mommy’s bad habits."