A Drunk's Bankruptcy... [Pt. XII]

Bankrupt Banks (Will Burn Red)

bankrupt banks bite balls-
full of air- gnawing, repeatedly
deflating bubbles- leaving marks
marking to market to make 'profits'
appear from nowhere- broke
down, in the red- financial
fires furiously burning- brazen
claiming debts captured illicitly
be paid in full. fumigating
common cents, hanging on
by threads- paper trails en route
to eviction, collections- stealing
slyly our taxes then taking
full payment- knowing full
well, wishing it weren't so,
but still- bankrupt banks
are bringing us down into
the red with them- let go...
release those threads of paper
and the boisterous balancing act
of marking to market to make-
to manufacture- 'profits' will
be baseless and bankrupt banks
will burn, red.



A Sobering Lesson

Acting finally to correct something learned long ago
Lifting the tab, over and over, falling; unconscious, low
Leaving your children alone- drunk, dazed, up in your room
After you're drunk enough to fall down the stairs- to your doom
Watered down, donning the blank stare- looking confused, acting knowing
All the conversations that never made any sense- now they're flowing
You taught me how to be like this- alone, desperate, doubting all
Can you feel it yet? gravity? unsteadiness? i saw you FALL
Down stairs, against walls- i was wondering when you would see me
Us, Eric, your former wife- my mother; i know what it's like to be
Like you- emotionless, 'fearless'? pretending your stance doesn't show
Less surety, more 'certainty' of your own correctness- oh, to go
Back to a way that makes sense to you so you might just let
On that you recognize me as the son you have- only then, i bet
Misery, mocking- ticking, tocking- a tourniquet (w)rapped around my neck
Brother's, too- the 'right' example to get us to our current selves- a wreck?
You scared us all too many times to count- so many times, in fact;
On your back, crushing a fan with imbalance- yours- so we act
Up, but not really- your blurred vision missing what you're doing
Too, to both of us- just like you- you drove her away- so i'm suing
Operating under the influence of a bad example- we ask to leave
Over to mom's where you drove us away- drunk, unsafe- i plea
Get us away from you, but not like this- ring any bells? aNY? yET?
Even if i make you feel? show you what you did? you remember it?
Oh i bet you don't, dad- blacked out the time we were there
Reeling, ranting- nonsensical- our hearts ached, ache- do you care?
Goodbye, then, if you wish me to be here.. to get 'psychiatric help'?
Everlasting love- drinking from the same bottle, can- there on the shelf
Just a little bit longer and i'll be out of here- still your son
Racing away to a place where i don't have to be so drunk and dumb



Coming Home? (A Brotherly Reconnection Offer...)

if i wrote something for you which was easier to understand
just as truthful and loving- still, not like you- just like i've been
would it help you relax or at least convince you to by me stand
to be home with you, mother, help Eric recover- I AM right now so... then?
for me this is it- to write, play music and listen- when you look, what do you see?
do you truly believe i would lie to you or that my destiny is insanity?
i may be 'crazy'- certainly schizophrenic- possibly alien but you are my mother... see?
you said i have willpower- i'm exercising it- i was only drinking for brother
so i could teach him what willpower is- he has a job and could get another
if he wants to, he doesn't have to- i guess i wonder what's the point of money
if all you ever do is wonder where your next dime will come from- missing family
he worries about everything and learned that from you- everyone else
unfortunately missing the point that to make others happy you must like yourself.
my job is lined up- the paychecks' on hold- mother will you let me be your son?
i can help Eric regain his health- what must i prove for you to let me come home?