I used to look out fingerprinted stained windows
when I was younger; staring off into curious tomorrows
full of questions and sometimes tears
filled with sorrow. I searched for answers
but I was told only what I needed to hear;
only what my young heart
could bear and they were those lies, lies
silly little lies/hidden truths in front
of my innocent young eyes.
I learned my daddy wasn’t just a recovering drunk,
but also a dead beat punk. He was a forgery of a man
empty of any future plan
yet I was left to understand he left because he didn’t
want a son to see that he failed
but the truth was he never had the love
was worthless and bailed
and it was those lies, lies
silly little lies/hidden truths in front of my
innocent young eyes.
I was told I wasn’t different, but I felt it;
Walked down trash cluttered streets
with nothing but hole exposed sneakers
clinging to my feet. Those other kids laughed
called me names, pointed and anointed–
days of cruelty were never disappointed.
Then I found out the hard way
That when I left out the door
I was already ridiculed and poor
And it was those lies, lies
Silly little lies/hidden thoughts
in front of my innocent young eyes—
those fabricated truths
of my lonely youth.
© 2012
Tarringo T. Vaughan
