Russel

your dad died the same day you were born

(Russel died the day he was born)

kids used

to call

you

 

cry baby

momma's boy

(Russel loved his mother)

you told me

she raised her kids alone

and was always baking

you fell in your doorway

when I brought you a brownie

(I thought it would remind you of her)

you said 

you hadn't 

been drinking

you put your weight 

on my shoulders

(I've been trying not to carry it)

And then you laughed

Do you drink 

because 

you think 

you're the reason 

your mother

was left

alone?

Do you drink

because

your psyche hurts

more than your fractured wrist?

(he doesn't like to answer questions)

Do you?