By the Tome I Got There

It's the sad truth. Look through any family photo album and you'll find a bazillion pictures of the first born child. Their first haircut, first lost tooth, first Christmas or first time pooping in the potty chair. But with each child born, the amount of photos begin to dwindle. Until that last child almost becomes invisible. It's not our fault, they say repetition stifles imagination.
So, being the next to the youngest in my family of 15. I grew up in the shadows of my brothers and sisters. It's like my entire life was an afterthought. At family gatherings, the conversations would always center around tales of—do you remember that time—like I was suppose to know what went on fifeteen years before I was born.
I wore clothes that were not mine but leftovers from some one elses lifetime. When I looked through the family photo albums all I saw were faces of children I never knew. Even my parents were worn down shells of those frolicking thirty somethings I saw in those pictures.
from isn't that too cute
to eh been there and done that—
first born versus last

Some Things Never Change


Hell, I never thought I’d
make it through the seventies
let alone eighties or nineties

now it’s a quarter past
the turn of a new century
and it still feels
like I’m dreaming

still wondering which path to take
which road to travel.
Too scared to take a breath
afraid it will all unravel

Two Simple Graves

I visit them in silent repose,
their memories float on whispered breath.
Bringing the delight of days now gone,
I do not feel the sorrow of death.

Here I can still see her loving smile,
feel her spirit fill my heart again.
I see his eyes dance as laughter spills,
and tobacco stains his grizzled chin.

I’m with him once more in darkened woods,
as favored dogs run o’er creek and hill.
The taste of port wine upon our lips,
we’ll drink until we have had our fill.

I return to her comforting arms,
upon my brow I can feel her kiss.
I let all my troubles fade away,
to be replaced with a peaceful bliss.

They’re nothing more than two simple graves,
no different from any other.
But these two hold all the memories,
of my cherished father and mother.

Do We Need to Know

Back in the old days, the evening news only lasted 30 minutes while we ate supper. Not that there was less going on. We just didn't need to know each time
the president farted or Tay-Tay and Trav-Trav make googly eyes at each other.
the evening news
doesn't report reality—
it entertains us

Runaway

a billion years ago
I hit the road
with just my thumb

pockets full of hope
mind full of dreams
head in the clouds

feet itching
for something
knowing nothing

headed off on my own
alone
and no one even
seemed
to care

where I ended up

I’ll let you know
when I get there