You were glamorous
Looking so fearless
But you were the frailest
Did you hurt so you
Couldn’t get hurt?
I never saw you but
You looked like a star
Gorgeous
Glamorous
Did you know that no one has a
Nice thing to say about you now?
We barely remember you
Or maybe we don’t want to admit
That we do
That we come from you
You are in us
We can forget
But we can’t escape
I see you in the photo
Hair curled
Lips red
Cigarette dangling from your outsretched hand
Laughing
Smiling
At who
The camera? Not us
That photo?
Did you know we cut you out of it?
The original
We cut you out of the original
Never to be mended
But we can’t cut you out of us
Forever with us you will be
And never once will we
Liken ourselves to you
In the end you were the weakest
We came from you but
You failed
–E.K.S., 5.12.09
Lora says
This is so huge.
Also, its my biggest fear to become that woman in the picture. That's why I over do it as a mother sonetimes, I think.
I used to wonder why and how my mom left us. Now that I am a mom, I see how easy it might be, if my soul cracks just a tiny bit.
StephanieD says
Did you hurt so you
Couldn't get hurt?
I know people like this. Not very pleasant, I'm afraid.
M.J. says
I could feel your hurt and anger with every word I read.
My father was around, but not all te time, and never in a good way. He was a junkie who verbally abused me and promises never to be kept. He's not in my life now, but I can't seem to shake him. My biggest fear is that I'm exactly like him.
Haley says
Powerful.
Brandie says
Wow. Very powerful (not to steal Haley's word…but exactly what I was thinking).
Holli says
Love this so much Lizzi. It says a lot about you and your family but it also resonates with me for my own life. Thank you.