Childhood

Lake Lanier, GA

When I was a child I knew my brothers: see
our bodies running in the thunderstorm
down to the lake after we ache ourselves
away from father after we move into
that old wooden house tiny and cedar
we all ache but our mouths open to the rain
no more silence no more of father's cocaine
he won't be around mom says and I believe her.

In the night he finds us and takes my brother
away to an island we stand in the hallway silent
I dream of the thunderstorm day how did father
get back inside brother is twelve brother goes
to rehab at thirteen at fifteen at nineteen...
I beat against the sky for him.     I scream.