Mother

Mother

Mother how dear you are to me,
Wallrused on your adjustable bed,
Perched askew in your heroin haze.
Your head falls back on a limp neck
As gentle OD weighs your eyes.

Wiping the saliva dribbling down your chin,
I remember my misspent youth
Under your unwatchful eye--
Lost now to us both.
I wonder why do I not act on
Turnabout is fair play.

My fingertips gingerly grasp your ill-fitting false teeth
As they slowly slide to rest on your uvula.
I’m affronted by the prescribed narcotic stench
Seeping like surface oil from your pores.
And again I wonder--Why?--Why do I not let you choke?

Mother

Mother how dear you are to me,

Wallrused on your adjustable bed,

Perched askew in your heroin haze.

Your head falls back on a limp neck

As gentle OD weighs your eyes.

Wiping the saliva dribbling down your chin,

I remember my misspent youth 

Under your unwatchful eye--

Lost now to us both.

I wonder why do I not act on

Turnabout is fair play.

My fingertips gingerly grasp your ill-fitting false teeth

As they slowly slide to rest on your uvula.

I’m affronted by the prescribed narcotic stench

Seeping like surface oil from your pores.

And again I wonder--Why?--Why do I not let you choke?