damage cycle

not all habits are meant for ears

nor, should they ever be passed down...

derogatory lingo turned second nature,

easily erupts at the signs of anger—

where the tongue's field-day goes unchecked,

corrupting the air with biting words aimed

at combative egos...

i was once that little kid,

peeking out my bedroom door to

watch mommy and daddy play

the angry game...

new words intended to belittle

entered the frame

i didn't know what they were meant for

...until i did

being an only child,

i was observant

i figured out the pain

words caused mommy by her expressions

but daddy kept hurling them like

constant thunder coming out his mouth

they didn't stop until tears came into play

i didn't like to see mommy cry

or the scary, black trails crawling down her face

i always wanted to help but didn't know how...

i guess you can say, i learned

a few heavy words at an early age

i even used one on Miss. Vickers for being a

bitch in second grade

she got me in trouble with

mommy and daddy

but no one ever convinced me

of how they could say it

and I shouldn't...