The first time
I held you
In my arms
I chose
To love you
Unconditionally
Even though
You were
Tragically addicted
At only
Four precious days old.

A baby,
My sister,
Suffering,
Screaming,
Pleading,
As the withdrawals
Turned you ravenous,
Inhuman.

So tiny
Because of the heroin,
They said.
How could someone
Do this to an infant,
To a helpless human being?

Trembling,
Shaking,
Furious
At the world,
At your foster parents,
At me.

Finally adopted
After two
Endless years.
You’re older now,
Yet
It still
Hurts you,
Hurts our parents,
Hurts me.