Saturday Night Poem by Matthew Foor

Born into addiction
Smoke in young lungs
Old Granddad's whiskey
Rubbed on my gums
To quiet the pain
To give me comfort in sleep
Marijuana
Weed
Pot
Dank
Wacky tobaccy
Grass
Whatever you call it
It was daddy's medicine
I left the room when it was that time
When daddy had to take his medicine
When daddy rolled one up
And filled his cup
With ole' Granddads

Saturday night
Around the corner
At the base of the stairs
I peered
Seeing what I wasn't supposed to see
Daddy with a joint hanging lazily
From his thin lips
His buddies
All suckin on cold beers
Staring at the TV screen
An adult movie is playing
The half lit men laughing
And saying "Oh, look at that! "

Floor board CREAKS
That's my cue
Up the stairs I flew
Tripping two or three times
I flopped into bed
Tried to catch my breath
Cuz here comes dad
I hear footsteps on the stairs
"Matthew" he says
In a low tattered voice
I dare not answer
Just lie still
Pretend to sleep
As he reaches the top
He peers into my room
"Matthew" he says
I stay silent
He lingers for a moment
Then slithers away….