where the mind began to twitch
all together in the same house
where dying came last
as we aged and as she did too,
so we never left that house.
because mother feared the dangers,
and we didn't have many friends,
we kept our mouths shut,
even when we had much to say.
mother had her expectations,
because we were her kids after all.
"don't mess up,"
never came out of her mouth.
"what a lovely painting,"
i drew and drew
until i reached my stages of madness
because she didn't seem to care
but that's okay
not only was i insane, she was too.

(read from bottom to top now)

~t.s.