Care

We woke to our neighbor’s cries
The sting of smoke in our sleepy eyes
& I said baby better get dressed
Get the dog we can leave the rest
By the time we got downstairs
The fire engines were already there
& you were shaking you were so scared
I held you & kissed your smoky hair
That’s when I knew
That I could take care of you
& when my best friend died
From the cancer that ate him inside
I got drunk & I stayed that way
For several nights into several days
For the times I was aware
What I remember is that you were there
You held my head & I cried & cried
You called our jobs & you lied & lied
That’s when I could see
The way you take care of me