I’d spend every night
listening talking
with her in her bed room
while her parents raged
about what to do with her
and how their marriage falling apart
was her fault
because someone else always has to take the blame
she'd say don't leave me
stay here where I can be safe
but of course I would
after she fell asleep
now long and away from our youth
she tells me two cats have adopted her
here under this torn tarp
on these found couch cushions
fashioned into a bed
and her needle marks
she say’s I don't know how these cats survive
while I watch her feed them rice and beans
from her broken cup
she nods out into the night the dark the rain
I watch her
like I always have
stand and turn
and find my way out of the woods
and hidden places forgotten for now
like I guess I always have
always will
leave her
