Exhaled

Swollen her eyes lids
would then unfurl
releasing saline residue
of memories once forgotten

She shares her story
his wanton treachery
behind closed doors
covered bruises
from him begotten

Someone who closely I knew
sharing boyhood dreams
pangs of hunger
fatherless
unwanted lonely nights
of acculturating plight

Attentive are my ears
as she speaks of the years
nine children born
little time shared
spent by his hand
changing diapers in the night

Commiserating
of positives from their past
her husband, my brother
alone and homeless
in the lonely LA streets
he passed

We wandered into caverns
where minds wish not to go
hearts disdain to travel
Catharsis tamed the moment
we exhaled those darken
shadows cast