Patrick loved his family
before them he was in prison
in and out again and again
drugs and crime his story
a road headed nowhere
but he finally found love
a wife he could brag on
and a son he worshiped
he was happy at long last

Darren was a confused kid
an alchoholic mother
ditto for his Dad
his only ally his big brother
but his bro got murdered
hung with the wrong friends
and Darren's life shattered
began with crime and drugs
became a sleeved gladiator

Patrick found a job he liked
driving long haul semi's
drove every hour he could
long hours away from home
it began to take the toll
the perfect thing cracked
one night he hit a car
foggy in Penn state
three people died

Darren fell in love
a girl he could live for
a rocky romance for sure
he chased her for years
she gave in ultimatly
and he could see light
feelings like never before
he found a good job
it all came together

Patrick let his marriage go
didn't notice the pain he made
pushed them all away
as the narcotics returned
wasted away dying slowly
hiding from the true motives
bounced from place to place
though he always loved his son
in the end it wasn't enough

Darren carried a hidden demon
a disease that has no respite
the medicine made him sicker
his hurting grew worse
he sought out an old friend
the magic elixer called smack
he became what he fled from
he ran away from himself
his tattoos couldn't save him

two markers in a graveyard
not too far apart
love written on the headstones
two lives missing.......