second hand smoke

nothing and no one

is what

or who they appear to be.

we know that, or at least

learn it early,

if not from the jump

then soon thereafter,

when no longer crawling

but upright on

two.

and yet it surprises us when

we find out

that our parents are just

human

that a loved one

is too.

fallible and full of issues

that they

try or don't try to pass

along,

but it's futile,

like second hand

smoke, if you're

in the room long enough

with them,

eventually you'll be sick too.

the age of discernment

comes last, 

it seems. 

it's what i've learned most

from a person 

like you.