night light

her valium is white
mama’s little helper is here to stay
it lights the way through the night

now she’s cross-legged and polite
she can’t fuck the pain away1
her valium is white

maybe the drug company’s right?
there’s got to be a happier way
it lights the way through the night

medicine cabinet calls from head height
mother in the mirror has something to say
her valium is white

sick kids and the place is a bomb site
she’s disappearing into dismay
it lights the way through the night

she’s all out of fight
as she says goodbye to the day
her valium is white
it lights the way through the night


Natasha Adams (Western Australia)

First published in Creatrix

1. Fuck the pain away is a song by Peaches