Men Leave

Stepdaddy never showed up

for my birthday party

even though Momma called.

He didn’t show up at the

hospital when Grandpa

couldn’t estimate my carbs.

He never showed up again

Until he was in that casket.

Someone died honey Momma’s

Voice broke. Who?

Jonas. Not again

I groaned because

I lost another Daddy now

and who did I have left?

I waited for months

to find out from

hidden, late night

phone conversations

that he chose to leave us

to leave me

            to leave my little Brother

                        to leave my Momma

                                    to leave my sister

                                                to leave my older brother.

I hated him

            what he did

                        that he didn’t come to me

                                    that I didn’t know

                                                that I didn’t help him.

I hated that Momma never told me

            until it was too late

                        until he was gone.