Diana Darby ** "I V" ** Intravenous

Honey Boy

I have tried to be good,
to let your indiscretions fall away
like dead tree limbs.
To stand still,
and not fall in to the mud pit
you so often leave behind for me.
I have tried to hide
the soft wet tears
and smile
when you claw at me
with your beak.
I have tried
to keep my head above water
even when the rocks have slipped out from beneath
my feet.
I have tried
to tell myself,
you mean only goodness
and do not know
that you offend.
I have tried to offer myself to you
like honey
hoping you would drink me in
and I could soothe the rage inside you.