you took away the fruits of the womb,
along with the dear heart I once
promised ‘forever’ to, with your lies.

all i ever wanted was happiness.
you’ve always been a means
& you’ll always be that to me, dear presidents.

i’m thankful for your absence in those years
when I needed you most.
how else could I have seen all the truth?

you’re still not a god, no matter what you do.
come and be my servants.
you’ve given me hunger and sharper aim.

you’re not only to be blamed, but
all i ever wanted was happiness;
never saw it coming the way that it has.

all i ever wanted was happiness.

Selected byJordan Trethewey
Image credit:Mackenzie Marco
Obed Ladiny

Obed Ladiny's poems have appeared in Red Fez, In Between Hangovers, Torrid Literature Journal, Red Hyacinth, Open Arts Forum, and more. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.