Mom's Demons

Mom’s Demons ©
Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.
July 31, 2022

Liquor bottles hidden in the front linen closet
Made my young teen mind query and posit
To a mom catatonic with living room TV blaring
Drool dripping down, my young eyes just staring
Not knowing the demons lurking within
Still mommy to me, from her toes to her chin
Later on in the journey of my life I did know
Mental illness slurred her speech
Made brain cells move slow
But those demons played games with her soul and her brain
Words never spoken back then like, “Is she insane?”
You see back in the day those words cut like knives
Sliced hearts to their core
Destroyed husbands and wives
Well mom’s long since been gone
Dad too has left this world
Heredity’s gift to me still repeatedly unfurled
Her demons were treacherous
Her demons were strong
And to her dear progeny
Demons sadly passed along
So I sing, write poetry, long walks I do take
To keep on keeping on, for everyone’s sake
Just to help keep those demons tightly at bay
Just to enjoy each new and hopeful day
Gifts are bequeathed some good and some dark
All passed along-it’s no dance in the park!
You learn that your genes need not seal your fate
Your future’s still yours, life’s promise still great
Just know to be vigilant for those demons appear
When least you expect them, wreaking havoc and fear
But you are who you are-the future’s not set
All is gloriously possible, on that you can bet
Remember my mom and her demons-I will
To avoid past horrors, you must remember them still
But those memories though painful, still celebrate
A life you loved dearly…..and that life is not your fate
So one day at a time-stop, smile and know
The future is your’s
Let YOUR spirit brightly glow!