Momma said she quit

And a thousand times

I smelled it sleeping on her breath.

Lies. Secrets. Whispers.

Deals in the shadows.

Cop cars and knives.

Mixed in the coke can,

I’d take a sip and choke.

Swallowed with pills.

Bottles

Almost empty.

Tucked behind the bed.

Hidden in drawers and shelves.

She thought she had me fooled

But then she’d forget.