Understanding The Fall - Part 2
My name is Sally
It's been awhile
Since last we spoke
Give Sal a smile.
I'm driving now
I use mom's car
I like to drive
But don't go far.
Jane moved out
She lives with Fred
He's 10 years older
They share a bed.
Just mom and me
Mo and Lad
2 birds, a cat
I named him Tad.
High school's tough
My grades have sunk
And it looks like math
I'm going to flunk.
But who can study?
Who can learn?
The Fall's at home
That's my concern.
The Fall won't cook
The Fall won't leave
The Fall holds on
To mom's poor sleeve.
Gripping her
Not letting go
Every night
The Fall's the show.
And we yell!
We fight!
We shout!
"I'm right!"
We hate!
We cry!
We scream!
"Good-bye!"
But we remain
And face the day
No more lunches
Just a quick "good-day" --
(nothing to say).
I drive to school
And there I dream
I wish for joy
And mint ice cream.
Dream through class
Dream through lunch
Knowing I'm different
Than the rest of the bunch.
My best friend, Liz
We share it all
Except the secret
I hide The Fall.
Liz is smart
Pretty and strong
The boys adore her
She's like a song.
And in her shadow
There I stand
Hoping her music
Will reach my land.
And somehow through her
I can forget
The Fall at home
The secret I've kept.
"Sally, please come,"
The teacher did say
And she led me down
The dark hallway.
She sat me down
She closed the door
I kept my eyes
Glued to the floor.
"Sally", she said
Soft and calm
"How are things?
How's your mom?
Is there trouble at home?
Feel free to talk
Tell me, Sally."
I tighten the lock.
I keep my life
Bolted inside
I love my mom
"I've got nothing to hide.
All is fine
My life is great
Can I go now?
I'm going to be late."
She let's me go
With one last thought
"If you ever need a friend..."
"Thanks, Miss Klott."
And I tear down the hall
Feeling the sting
The look in her eyes
The tap of her ring
As she patted my hand
And softly spoke
I thought I heard laughter
I think I'm the joke.
And I wonder why
It must be
The shame I feel
Inside me.
The rage that builds
The tears that flow
The want to run
But will not go.
I enter my home
And there's my mom
Humming a tune
Looking so calm.
The Fall's asleep
And I cherish the peace
And she shows me the painting
She made of some geese.
Their white silky bodies
Paddle behind
The big mama geese
With an eye that is kind.
She gives me a hug
And says it's for me
"I love you, my baby"
And she makes us some tea.
Maybe The Fall
Has finally fled
This time The Fall
May really be dead.
I hang up my painting
I believe in my dream
For tonight there is joy
And mint ice cream...
One week later
The Fall reappears
What a low, dirty trick
I waste no tears.
I believed for a moment
I trusted with hope
But mom's back to drinking
She just couldn't cope.
And I wonder why
It must be
Two mother's in one
Must live with me.
And what I can do
To get ride of The Fall
I know, I'll be perfect
Straight A's and all!
I'll clean the house
I'll cook the meals
I'll make it all better
See how that feels.
The Fall is certain
To run away
My mom will be cured
She'll be okay!
And if she could stay happy
And I could stay strong
She'll look at the bottles
And know that they're wrong.
She'll see that life
Isn't so bad
With Sally in charge
There's no need to be sad!
Starting today
This is my goal
Saving my mom
Making her whole.
And I close my eyes
And start to dream
Of all the joy
And mint ice cream...
