Layla's Lullaby : Adult Poetry

Layla’s Lullaby

Her mother named her, Layla

after the Eric Clapton song.

But, she called herself

Misery.

The preposterous tragedy

of drug addiction

and a man long gone.

As karma would have it

her mother had left.

Dead .

Least that’s what

her social worker had said.

She had glimpsed her dad

a million times.

She imagined he would be sad

if he only knew of the

vile life she’s had.

He typically wore a rakish suit

as he watched her sisters at piano

and ballet recitals.

He didn’t know her.

She knew that,

or he wouldn’t have passed her by.

She didn’t misapprehend.

It was her Mother’s fault.

Her life.

Her lot.

She was nothing like her-

least not a whore.

She had sex because she must,

to support the child on the floor.

Just until her man came back.

When he got a job.

When he got straight.

Then he would take them away.

That was her babies fate.

She named her daughter, Faith.

Faith lie crying.

Wet.

Imploring.

Hungry.

“ Shhhh,” she whispered.

Tourniquet in her teeth,

the needle caressed her skin

and misery slipped away

if only for a while.

Release.

Repentance.

A sigh.

She dreams about faith

and closes her eyes.

A single tear named,

Truth

exposes her lie.

“Cry Layla cry.”

Mocks , Denial’s lullaby.