When momma died so did you,

you and that firewater stuck together like glue,

Tick tock tick tock,

Take another sip,

Look at me then look at it then ask me to make a trip,

God forbid you get mad,

All hell would breaks loose then,

I run and hide somewhere you won't find me,

While you count to ten,

I pretend that it's a game so I don’t feel as much pain,

You find me in the same place,

The cold closet floor,

This happens so often can’t even get help from the neighbors next door,

Everyday you wake up you feel the same,

Walls plastered with pictures of momma,

And the cause of her death well I’m to blame,

Day to day I have to take cover,

Just cuz I’m a spittin image of her,

On good days you talk about how much you loved her,

It’s sad, because we’d both do anything just to get one more hug from her,

But because of all the things you put me through,

I wonder when I leave what your gonna do,

And when I’m gone I’m gonna live,

But I’ll make sure my next letter to you starts with I forgive.

~Jamilah El-Amin