FAMILY PORTRAIT -- SEPTEMBER 1952

I'm in the center, as always,
holding Mommy and Daddy's hands
so I can balance on one leg.

Daddy looks down adoringly
while Mommy closes her eyes
and grins with perfect teeth.

But you're not happy, Mom.
I can see you're not.
You know why?

Because you promised by now
there'd be four of us
and there's not.

So don't smile that way,
you're not fooling me.
You're only closing your eyes

because it hurts to see.
You're grasping my hand as tight
as that fist in your other hand.

---

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Copyright © 1997 by Rochelle Ratner.

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