Dear Mommy
Dear Mommy,
I don’t know why
Daddy yelled at you today
Or why he threw those things
But I was scared for you
I covered my eyes
And your smile made me forget
just a moment later.
Dear Mommy,
I don’t know why
Daddy made you leave today
Or who that strange man was
But I was scared because
He smelled like smoke
And he seemed a little too nice
But you liked him
So I did, too.
Dear Mommy,
I don’t know why
Daddy looked at you that way
Or why his new girlfriend
Told me I should be mad
I didn’t really listen because
Your hugs were still the same
So I forgot.
Dear Mommy,
I don’t know why
Daddy looked so mad today
Or why he told me
I couldn’t see you again
He didn’t say why
I didn’t want to ask
But I missed you.
Dear Mom,
Now I know why
Dad shouted those angry things
And why they kept you away
I don’t know why you
chose a blunt over me
It makes me wish
I had been mad.
Dear Mommy,
I still don’t know why
Daddy held a grudge so long
And said you never cared
Because you cried for me
And I cried for you
Because I finally understood
the way things
could keep dragging you back
on your knees
day after shattered day.
So we can grow up together, Mommy.
With popsicles sticks on park benches
And talk about how
some stars seem to shine
brighter than others.