I was a gift of '99
turn of the century
becoming another branch
of the ever-expanding tree
And there was always someone
next door
around the corner
over the river, through the woods
six grandmas
two dads
one mom
about seven aunts –
And everyone's got a birthday:
cousins of the fourth and fifth variety,
aunts of the uncles,
sisters of our childhood best friends.
So now I've found
(above all),
I’m a family man;
we all are.
my grandma’s
best friend’s
daughter’s
husband
and his
father’s
brother’s
kids
all were raised
on game show network,
Jimmy Buffet radio,
open mic bar stools,
best friend’s cool tile floors
a 2005 honda accord
that picked me up in 3rd grade
raised me
without her
we walked home
to our best friend’s moms
and mom’s best friends
two, three and four
fathers and mothers
we grew
till 11 ... 12 ... 13 ...
so many miss’s
mister’s
yes ma’am,
no ma’am
raised to be polite
raised by my tree
raised beyond blood
raised to go on
so that soon,
together,
we will raise
something else to care for.
