Memories: Six Days

six days
until I reenter the world
of my childhood

dysfunction
lies
abuse

she says to protect yourself
be prepared to say "NO"
to leave when my body
tells me to

i wonder if the meds
will be working then
lithium
seroquel
effexor
xanax
at the very least one
should help
not much to ask, is it?

memories of a
twisted mother
love one moment
hatred the next

a father who despised
my very existence
SISSY!
FAT BOY!
his terms of endearment
for me

a brother who wisely
stayed away from home

a church rolled into a
big family that taught
self-hatred
inability to love
all among the running
in the aisles

six days