My parents
raised me
to understand
I could never
know the
hardships
someone else
was facing
and just because
I had never had
an experience
myself,
it didn’t mean
it wasn’t real or
hadn’t happened
to another person.

We draw lines
for ourselves
and set boundaries,
lines we toe
along the edge
of who we are.
Sometimes
it takes a person
who’s life is
completely
different
from your own
to teach you
what truly
matters,
but you have
to pay attention.

Bourbon makes
me brave,
emboldened
with the sweet
warmth of alcohol,
I am ready
to take my stand
and walk the
course
of this path
I have
veered into.