Inches

The night the glass had shattered,

Mother screamed.

The night police arrived,

They escorted Madness out.

The night I lost respect,

I shrunk an inch

Filled with the anger, disbelief.

A secret kept behind closed doors

Escaped the lips and crossed the streets.

The elders’ wrong advice

And blaming games

Made me a goat for calling 911 that night.

With Madness miles away

My mother leans on me instead -

I am her council, guide and friend.

Since many friends deserted us,

A grown up I’ve become at once.

We grieve by taking turns,

My younger sis can barely speak.

I keep head high on days I can,

I know I’ve grown two inches since.

I pray the Madness can be healed;

I miss the man I care for…