Overinvested

One spends themselves into their children  
but at what expense?  
At what point is investment  
chasing after bad value?  
 
Burning questions set my mind to flames.
 
Optimism has a dark side.  
Always speaking through shut doors,  
as though the truth  
would keep hearts open.
 
Is it a sin to never assume the worst?  
Yet a worse thing than I ever suspected  
befell us.
 
Pray we're never found  
beneath old floorboards.
 
Some things on our  
horizon a mystery so black  
 
So fearsome  
we hardly dare wonder  
what they mean

Manipulation to Surrender

Level one defiant
casually dishonest
promised to never
do any chore any more

bragged to our friend
he was using weight loss
for a campaign of his terror

in reaching out to travel
He didn't grasp at
homes at random

like he wanted us to think

He seems to believe
that he can hoodwink

But the dots are connecting
for all he's affecting