its so easy. 
[chapter 1]
on the last
Christmas past
he OD'd on Johnson’s Baby Powder
after a quick wash-up
with some alcohol pads
nuts smell like clam chowder
from some new cut -
he dipped in the night before
he stares in the mirror
and scrapes his underarms
with the last smudge of Arm & Hammer
roll on roll on
stressing on
where to get the funds
to pay for that one room apartment
apartment
six children sleep on the floor
all squeezed on a tiny carpet
carpet
[chapter 2] in the dead of winter
they all huddle around a stove
which
fed their once nuclear
family
for the last six Christmases
when “Santa” rolled off the lips of toddlers
inspecting
colorful boxes
shadowed by pine
and filled with things
from a long wish list
but- atomic blast
mom died
and time stood still and stopped flying
tears fell
now big brother
becomes a giant
[chapter 3] now he has to provide
for innocence lost
not just simple chores
like trash or the dishes
it ain't easy to survive
life is just like DUI
so some stay steady
crashing into ditches
he’s just a kid taking care of kids
inexperienced
in handling adult situations
it wasn’t raining it was pouring
so they resort to low wage jobs
and simply whoring
[epilogue] now he hits the snooze alarm
Copyright © 2012, Duaynekalade Parnell Bey, All rights reserved