poem

 Family Reunion

At last my whole family is finally gathered again, all in one place. Unfortunately that place is a dive bar in the red light district of my brain. Every memory a shot of tequila downed before anyone can do a toast. Dad is telling soft lies and half truths again while the eldest son holds court in the kitchen conducting a chorus of rolled eyes. The kids table wobbles on uneven legs perched on the edge of a precipice. The TV is on in every room set to maximum volume. I’m putting in my time with the ghost of my grandmother to ensure I remain her favorite. Uncle Dave is harassing mom again with the wit of a weekend sports anchor. Some of the cousins are in the basement sorting themselves into a hierarchy of dishonesty. A man I’ve never seen before has stationed himself at the stove, slowly stirring the sauce.  The chksshhhhh sound of Natural Light cans opening resounds through the house like invisible insects. Spouses are gritting their teeth. The nephew you least expect has just polished off his third deviled egg. It’s buffet style, it’s a sit down dinner. There’s paper plates and plastic glasses. The ham sits untouched on a cartoon turkey themed platter. The box wines are aligned on a shelf like encyclopedias out of alphabetical order. Uncle Walt has wandered away and won’t be coming back. Aunt Carol! Aunt Suzie! Aunt Sherry! This is the last time I will ever see you again! The children are all getting so big. We teach them charades like we used to play as kids. Rotate your wrist like you’re reeling in a fish. It’s a movie! Three words. Sounds like. First word. Three syllables. First syllable. My first guess is always “love” but I keep it to myself. It’s time to give the youngsters a chance.

4/22/26