My baby sister
born July in ‘88
spoiled all 36 years
carried a genetic
disease to every roll
of dye

when daddy died
sold adobe
to bank moved in w/
2 kids + 2 dogs
backed by a monopoly

her boyfriend comes too
her Mighty Mouse
takes turns breaking
and making up

a loud board game
still plays throughout
big momma’s house

when you win this
& you will win
she would say
remember you were
the only one smart enough
to escape.
Please don’t give up
hope, I say
may freedom find,
your daughter
may college be
her refuge
like it was for me

not a light thing
to know your
child wins in
spite of you
closing yourself off
feeling useless

to avoid ambition is
to avoid love
to survive that way
to live a life, she didn’t build was
not her sanctuary but a void.