Where it started

In fifth grade a lot of things started

the teacher was nice and kids friendly

home was as usual, parted

family ties sensitive, relationships handled gently

this is the year I realized the family was not close

this was the year that drugs first entered my body

this was the year that I got my first poetry dose 

this was the first time my ignorant bliss became shoddy 

all of these things remain in my life since that year

seven later and only one is good for me

it is hard not to shed a tear

for the fact that poetry kept me from the worst I could be