Jack Poem by Chris Embrick

Mama had a lover with a cold, dark heart
He locked me in a cage and kept me in the dark
His cigarette burns made a cross on my back
He said: I've read all your signs in the zodiac
If you grow up, you'll be no good Jack
If you grow up, you'll be no good Jack.

Every time Billy hurt Mama she'd fly into a rage
With a demon in her eyes, she'd drag me from the cage
I can still feel the sting and hear the whip crack
She said: you grow up and be a good boy Jack
You grow up and be a good boy Jack.

Mama Od'd on meth and her third six pack
They found Billy in bed with a knife in his back
They found me in a cage behind the coat rack
Saying: Don't hurt me Mama; I won't fall through the cracks
I'll grow up and be your good boy Jack
I'll grow up and be your good boy Jack.

Just skin and bones, I could barely speak
I had nothing for days but the roaches to eat
They said: he's so withdrawn, he doesn't know how to act
He just sits in the corner afraid they'll come back
Singing: Someday you'll be a good boy Jack
Someday you'll be a good boy Jack.

I've spent fifty years behind these white walls
Afraid of the dark and the voices that call
I still feel the sting and hear the whip crack
Afraid of the demons and another attack
With Mama calling me from the railroad shack
Saying: Don't be like your Mama, don't fall through the cracks
You grow up and be a good boy Jack
You grow up and be a good boy Jack.

Time's running out; I'm staring at the clock
The doctor said: It's over he can't take another shock
Drip, drip, drip from the bag on the rack
There's another man here with scars on his back
He said: I'm coming today to take you home Jack
You're not like your Mama
You're a good boy Jack
You're not like your Mama
You're a good boy Jack.