When the beer fueled fury abates
    in the sun's first faint light and
    I stand down and seek forgiveness
    it always takes longer each time.

    The neglect always shows through
    a cheap paint job or plastic shrubs.
    The kid's all dressed in hand me downs
    on the yellow bus without lunch again.

    I have excuses. I collected them for years
    instead of baseball cards. I keep them under
    my mattress. I'll pull one out as needed
    like a magic God to forgive all my failings.