Broken Equals Family Poem by Lauren Harper

Ohana means family?
Family means no one gets left behind?
Or so the tv said.
Not in reality
Hell scrambled eggs resemble family more accurately.
Broken means family.
family is the searing pain in your chest
family is the burning sensation of reddened eyes and dehydration.
family is fake.
Broken is the fraying edges of our blood ties.
Slice my veins until I run dry of blood to be separated from you.
It is you.
Slice with my blade of strength against the roads like veins running.
running from you.
Family has taught me not to foolishly believe in something as childish as hope.
Rather that it is important to clutch your fears.
Mask them so they do not become your downfall.
Swallow your fear.
Make your features blank.
For who is to hurt you when they cannot find the fire.
Instead, use the fire you're hiding.
take it and burn all that surrounds you.
watch all become nothingness.
This way they are ashes before you.
ashes of desperation.
ashes signaling your first W
No these smoke signals are not part of your childhood games.
These are claws gnashing at the sky warning you.
Warning you, they are coming.
and you are next on their list.
take your mask move it firmly in place.
banish your hope
And hold your frame tall and unwavering.
Only you can give them the ammunition.