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