Family Exile

"The other night I ate at a real nice family restaurant. Every table had an argument going." George Carlin

Family Exile

I'm in the old photos
I remember...What?
Things no one else does.
I sat outside my brothers door
When he was in trouble.

I waited in the cold cold cabin
trying to light a fire
waiting waiting as dusk deepened
for fish and fishermen.

Mom says I wasn't there
I had my nose in a book,
avoiding dishes, guns, quads
and conflict.

Mostly conflict
Boarding school was enlightening.
I was too liberal.
I thought the one black kid
should be allowed to date
and went to a memorial for
Dr King in Forest Park.

1969 and two heroes had been
gunned down. I tried to adapt.
Married, had kids, divorced
went crazy, explored PSI and
alcohol.

I resisted. I never fit...anywhere.
Until now.
Now I know my place
My heart, my plan
My purpose.

I still resist and read
I teach and learn
I rejoice in each sunrise
I wait for fish and fishermen
To return to me
And light my fire.

New heroes come
Some leave their mark
In deadly shots, some landing
on other soils, some in their own bodies
But I feel them all.
Standing witness to my world.