It only takes one message

Of ten words

To cut the cord.

It only takes one message

Of three sentences

For him to leave.

Ten syllables

For the idea of a future

To slip away.

One line

For you and him to end.

One night

When all the memories

Rise and swirl around

Your brain like

Dead leaves in the wind.

It only takes two words

To heal.

I’m done.

 

Our relationship is

A cautionary tale.

Buyer beware.

The role of alcoholic

Has greater appeal

(And thus a greater price)

Than the role of father.

Dormant

The day I leave you

I will spread my wings.

Until then I remain

Dormant, dreaming

Of that day.

 

Your Power

You have power

Over my emotions.

So much that

Gods would tremble.

I gave it to you,

The fool that I am.

Now it is gone,

I fear I’ll never

have it again.

 

Broken Heart

A broken heart

Makes bad choices.

Two splintered halves

Cannot function

As whole.

Would you expect

Broken wings to fly?

 

Living with you

Is a life caged.

My jailer

Your liquid courage

Thinly masquerading

Liquid rage.

 

Your judgement can never

Be truly clear

Looking through frosted bottles

Filled to the brim with my fear.

I’ve learned to count time,

Not by minutes, hours, or years

But through subtraction

Of your discarded beers.

 

Your whiskey is strong,

Burning away every plea

Lacing your tongue with words

To burn loved ones

Until they can only flee.

 

This addiction is a cruel mistress

Who takes as much as she gives.

So convinced you are

That you consume it.

In truth, it consumes you as you live.

She is your first love

Who reigns above all others.

A marriage pact in sin.

As long as you two

Are intertwined together

It is certain no one else can win.

 

Storm clouds roll in

Over my mind.

I’m not ready

For the rain.

 

Hanging above, they deliver

Me their tears

No one else can see.

 

I move through crowds,

The only one needing shelter.

Thunder claps deafen me to your words.

 

A cold, white sheet of rain

Wraps itself around me

And obscures everything from view.

Calls for help are eaten up

By every drop.

 

Resigning to the will

Of my private storm

I press my hand to its walls,

An act of finality…

 

Before the wall is pierced

By an umbrella opening.

A face hangs under it.

The face of the one

Who found me.