Broken

born into dirt
depression child
oldest and made to be the slaughter child
the rabbits, chickens, dogs and kittens ran from you
outhouse in the back
the dirt feeding your family
your family’s shack
stressed father
soft spoken mother
who didn’t speak up for you
you learned the fist and the belt
the father who ruled
didn’t know how to love you softly or kindly
in the oppressive endless want
the never ending need
was often cruel
you learned to be cruel
to beat your animals
to kindle fear
to harbour rage
control things with the power of your fists
you were broken
and didn’t heal
love was not a soft and lovely thing
but a hard lust
your mind was broken
to enjoy fear in others
to hurt
to try to break as you were broken
I mourn for you my friend
the road you followed led you
to a prison
to a boat alone in a vast ocean
to ideas but not to people
to illusion
if only you could have resisted
spoke the truth of your life
sought to love softly and with kindness
instead of eating anger, loving fear and finding the fist

Sister Friend

sister friend
you’ve been down a lot of roads with me
we share things no one can understand
I remember you when you were as old
as your daughter now
wide eyed and new to the world
I’ve seen your pain
I’ve shared your joy and triumphs
and a lot of cussing and growling
back and forth between us
I thank God for your place
in my life and my heart
and your place in my family
and the space you give me in yours
you’re honest and true
so good at forgiving
your love is fierce and brave
you’ll always have my heart
Sister