Merciel

Her pain’s the medicine I swallow to
help demolish disorders driven through
my skull since kindergarten, a cocktail
of Welbutrin, Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil.
I drown the stowaways oppressing me–
depression and social anxiety–
in tears she sheds along with family–
her mother, sisters, brothers. Slavery
to tides defined three decades, but the stings
inflicted by her hubby grant me wings
to fly above Egypt toward Babel’s peak,
plumed with purple petals above her cheeks.
Beneath the gold veneer of smiles she feigns,
I ravish bitter fruit and smile again.