skip sequence, break the mold

mix up order, restore peace

however, it’s only repositioned pain

waiting

broken nights thrown your way by people who should have known better always remain, indelible sharpie ink scrawls on your soul, shards that will cut through eventually, and leak memories of lamp-breaking nights into the bliss you thought could shroud dad’s finger waving and mom’s burnt cookies

wafers you found out weren’t good enough after neighborhood-sleepover birthday parties in fancier houses, staying with sewn together parents, frayed edges showing when the “unit” is alone

singed finger tips

your family ties were ripped at the seams in public squares

broken down stares

knowing you had to get out

facades developed, and destroyed

break circles

step out

only after roaring back

you must push them out

not down

move on