As I stand here gazing upon
A row of trees nearing their demise
My mind is overcome by a barrage
Of paralyzing truths
That have contaminated my spirit
Like a river transposing itself
Into an infested swamp
Nonetheless, the sight before me
Whispers to my imagination
This family tree is crooked:
What compels ones sister
To seduce another sisters husband?
Just yesterday they were sharing
Clothes and make-up
Today they share the same lover
The tree has become withered:
Susie flees from home again
While Uncle Jake is far too under
The chains of influence to notice
I thought children came first
Then alcohol was second
That tree has shaded to grey:
Tony searches for drug money
While Aunt Sara looks
For a new husband at
The corner tavern again
However, I did not know
That new uncles were so easy to find
The branches are twisted:
Mommy never kissed Santa Claus
On Christmas eve night,
Instead, Aunt Sharon was kissing
Her husbands brother under the mistletoe
After everyone went to sleep
Or so they thought,
An old song takes on a new meaning
All the leaves have fallen:
Great grandmother loved telling
Stories of the family history
But I see now why
She left some tales untold
