This man

This man

With a family who loves him

But can't help him

Because he needs to help himself first

This man

Drunk on hatred for himself

For this world

"Hopeless", they all say

With their eyes

Some things do not need to be spoken aloud

I know they want to have hope

Don't we all

But

These beautiful people

This beautiful family

Created lives far away from him

Because of what he's done

What he's said

Who he's hurt

And as this happens

All I hear are stories

How in childhood, he was just like me

How similar we are

Maybe they're just trying to remember the good times

Before

But

As I sit alone at a table

Amid a party under candlelight

Drinks and snacks and chatter

A much-deserved celebration of happiness

People talking

Dancing

Laughing

As I sit there

Feeling so alone

Despite being surrounded by people who I know

Love me

I can't help but wonder

If he met me now

Saw through the haze of his mind

This broken child

Who takes after her uncle

I wonder

If this man would recognize

His misery

In my eyes