Abhorrence and Glory

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And Brother

home from Vietnam

his wild eyes dart

his brain silently screams 

and seeks to escape

Aunt Gail weeps silently

While Papa holds

a steady gaze

looking

from person to person

Hoping to hold on

Just hold on.

As in

waiting for the light to change

Or, as a corps of dancers

wait

for the curtain to rise

Or hearts climb

walls while

a once again drunk relative makes

yet another

mindlessly insipid toast

Remember those who could not

join us for these holidays

Those who have

crossed over before us.

Without us.

We collectively hold our breath

while Uncle Seaward becomes angry

He begins a diatribe coupled

with a punch into the air

in a remembered combat

Rising and falling,

his voice quickening and cracking

His glass eye remaining fixed

While his good eye cries

hot tears of loss.

We call on patience

to see us through

To make another memory of family

Gathering and accepting

each others’ struggles

Please. Pass the bread pudding.

 

Photography & Poetry by FawnRising©2015
March 9, 2015
Le Lac du mon Père
Crystal Lake Florida USA Earth