with borrowed breath she sits
silently
awaiting the life-or-death diagnosis
placing her bets
on the latter
it's been difficult for months now
but she doesn't seem to care
she's just waiting to get that final blow
before she lets herself
slip a w a y

You miserable woman
you fight against your children
and their rights
their health
their safety

you laugh in their faces
you expect them to be adults
when all but one are minors

you expect them to pay for a house
and bills of many kinds
when there's one caring for his disabled fiance
one is sixteen

and the rest live with you
those three aren't able to work
so they're somewhat safe
for now

but your two eldest have been more
responsible and mature than you
for years
they had to grow up real quick

you never cared for them properly
you cheated on their dad
drove him deep into alcoholism

you moved out, leaving them
with their lush father
claiming abuse
yet you left them there

you finally came back for three of them
but they're at risk, too
you never take them to the doctor
they've never received necessary procedures

their father died of liver damage
because you abused him
mentally and emotionally for years

the state sent you a **** ton of money
that is meant for the children
yet you steal it from them
to buy your cigarettes
and ****** boxed wine

not to mention the constant trips
to the movie theater
where you spend at least 90 dollars each time

you refuse to get your youngest the care
he very obviously needs
because your ******* essential oils
and "good mojo"
are SO much ******* better
than therapy

*******
your kids aren't disposable
and neither am I
I'm not ******* going anywhere