Want

I want them to see

The board on my mother's wall

That shows us the months

And how much we still owe

In my hand, check marks

For what we owe not 

Anymore.

I want them to hear

the creak my car groans

in cold frost breath

as to school I go

and hear me say

how we cannot pay

to have it fixed.

I want them to taste

the sweat tears and salt

of mine and mine own parents

who work and learn and try

just as i do

to succeed with what they still 

might have together.

I want them to see

the food not in my fridge

and cabinets empty of imagination.

I want them to see

my brother's past

and my possible future

and all that I have worked for.

I have come 

a distance greater than they

and proceeded to succeed

past their current point.

I want them to see me

for more than what

they think I am.

And I want to see

what they too 

have gone through.