Inheritance

The mouth is hidden
Speech blanketed by the wool of night
Lips sealed, a sheeted gag
Against the usual rantings and obscenities
And I am thankful for his silence

Neighbours pass us, acknowledge me
Not him, pretend not to see the man
Who was once a man
His presence now a red rag
To the bull of propriety

And we chat about this and that
Over the head of the man out of his head
Whose glance slinks along the sidewalk
To the bars and their promise
Of mindless oblivion

Unsteadily he rises,
Staggers down the street
Dragging me with him
Whilst in the shadows my mother watches
As I follow in my father’s footsteps