For Never and Always

always second to last
always a last resort

never the first option
never your first thought

always the first forgotten
always the one left behind

never your first call
never near enough to matter

always a liar
always unworthy

never allowed to think
never important

always hit down
always yelled at

never loved
never noticed

always the same

never again

17 Years

I am 17 years old and I have raised two children

 and mourned the loss of another.

I am 17 years old and I am only interested in a

relationship that will end in marriage.

I am 17 years old and I feel too old

to drink, smoke, or party.

I am 17 years old and I can cook a three

course meal for eight people.

I am 17 years old and I can balance a checkbook

and live within a budget.

I am 17 years old and I know what it is like

to go without so others may be full.

I am 17 years old and I know how to run

a household and multitask.

I am 17 years old and I have no hope

 for the future of our nation.

I am 17 years old and I was forced

 to grow up too quickly.

I am 17 years old and

I am of the broken generation.

Haunted

I am haunted by ghosts

ghosts of things
ghosts of words
ghosts of hurts
ghosts of those I once loved
ghosts of those I still do

they come at me
each one squawking
vying for my attention

ghosts of those I have hurt
ghosts of those I couldn't help
ghosts of those who hurt me
ghosts of those I lost

they whisper to me at night
they visit me in my dreams
they hold me in their unrelenting grasp

ghosts of those who lied
ghosts of those who promised
ghosts of those who whispered
ghosts of those who giggled

I am haunted by ghosts