999 Z80

when your daddy gave out
his back
did you taste what he left
were you afraid
it was all spoiled fruit

when your daddy came home
sick off whiskey
did you hold his face
or did you kiss him
mistake him for a corpse

I want all my nights
to burn with the intensity
of a store brand candle
stupid and ugly
I’ll be crooked

when your momma
took too many pills
did you call the police
or did you cry on the floor
which was worse

only the passing of time

an ocean of blistered feet

only a quick run
in the ocean