Bereft

Vodka on your breath
Heart devoid of dreams
Hope that left so long ago
Mangled by paternity

Wine on your breath
Mouth full of hate
Hope that left so long ago
Mangled by maternity

The apple falls directly below the tree
But the tree is dead
Which leaves the apple
Rotten as can be

Wary me
Parry me
Carry me
Bury me

(Line approaching line)
(End apprehending end)

Bright futures thrown away
In the name of an escape
Words from aspiring artists
Replaced by silent mouths agape

Nights forgotten
Vice begotten

Wary me
Parry me
Carry me
Bury me

(Line approaching line)
(End apprehending end)

Bereft behest

An authors voice
Silenced on a blank page

Numbing the sting
Of inadequacy
Unfair exchange
Thought for naught
Leaning on crutches
Meant for killing slowly
Now you can only bide your time

The apple falls
Directly below the tree
But the tree is dead
Which leaves the apple
Rotten as can be

Rotten

Fertile, though rotten through
Germination begins as corrupt seeds
Spread their sickness through the landscape
Infecting all