Poem-American Fiend-Taken from the book Humming Eternity by Jasen Sousa

AMERICAN FIEND


A mother begins to consume,
her child develops
inside of a premature tomb.

That which will free her.
That which will enslave her seed.
A baby is born, a baby cries
because it feels the need to feed.

A heritage of needles and syringes,
rehab and relapse. Chemicals fade
our genes as we count veins
on the bark of a rotting family tree.

General injections
create her addictive complexion,
hanging on an Art Deco corner,
Miss Wrecked Whacko.

An addict’s faith,
sniffing broken down clouds off a crucifix
for the ultimate high.