The Moments in Life

There was never

one moment.

Just many,

quietly urging me

down my path that was

sharply turning away from

my parents.

Somehow, they never noticed

I walked away,

thinking I was right behind them

a step away.

It was when I first loved a girl.

It was when I sat in my room,

drinking whiskey,

listening to my mom

tell my dad

he didn't try hard enough

even though yesterday in the car

he told me everything he did just

made my mom mad.

It was when I looked at my parents,

and then at my sister,

who left us for her own road 

over a year ago

and realized I wanted

to be with her.

Not with them.

It was when I started

lying at church

saying I don't drink

I don't swear

I haven't had sex

I believe what you tell me

every week.

There was never one moment.

Just several small

realizations

that have led me down my hidden road

that will hopefully lead

me to a life happier

than arguments behind closed doors 

and broken dishes.