matter of fact

born to poverty and dysfunction

destined to repeat lessons
chronically unable to be learned – to penetrate the layers of protection
haphazardly constructed

thriving never seemed an option worth exploring

nothing pushed you forward except time’s relentless pace
and
its refusal to let you gather wits – whether yours or another’s.

always off-balance
you learn to walk on the edge of the chasm
one wrong move away from darkness

navigating a world determined to ignore you – as if your pain
was not big enough or interesting enough
to
warrant the attention of the universe.

or

to matter.