Best Family Relationship Poems
no one talks about
the elephant in the room
grazing on silence
_________________________
Twitter | @live_the_light | 2016
Saddled with this task
burden
beast
of razor colour scheme
years of crumbled paint
the dust in lungs
a poisoned dream
still clinging
holding breath
to clear the air
between the stitches of a seam
For years I’ve sadly known of one who dislikes me—
A member of my family, whom I do love.
No matter how I’ve tried—solution not to be,
My fervent prayers unanswered by dear God above.
Except I’m granted a recurring dream, so real,
Whereby the two of us are friends and get along,
And in my dream, I thank dear God that my appeal
Was heard whereby he helped to make our kinship strong.
This haunting dream recurred for many hopeless years,
And still, invades and stirs my sleep at present time.
In it, my heart accepts apology with tears—
Rejoicing, we embrace and kiss in scene sublime.
What disappointment when I stir and then awake
And realize once more it was this same old dream—
My morning seems less bright, my heart forlorn with ache;
If only this were true, not sleep’s nocturnal scheme.
However, I do feel that God sends me this gift
As his firm sign of things to come some future day.
My hope is strong, my heart wanting to mend this rift,
And make my dream come true—take this heartache away.
Sandra M. Haight
~3rd Place~
Contest: Emotional Anger, Hurt, Rage
Sponsor: Lewis Raynes
Judged: 11/30/2017
~3rd Place~
Contest: Dreams
Sponsor: Rob Carmack
Judged: 04/28/2015
Iambic Hexameter
A letter came from Auntie Mabel today--
Saying how she’s tired of working for low pay,
Seems her widowed sister has come to stay,
The kids make too much noise when they play
Keeps telling me she doesn’t have much to say,
Still having trouble with a molar in final decay.
Her nephew on her husband’s side turned gay
And her favorite rooster died right where he lay,
Wanted to know what I think she should weigh
And, lastly, wanted the latest on Aunt Lula Fay,
Frankly, not much in her letter seemed okay.
In a week or so, I will answer her letter--
Telling her she should retire to spare her back
For a home and money, her sister doesn’t lack.
I’ll remind her quarreling about the kids is smack,
There is a fine dentist in her town named Jack
As to her nephew, I said he finally got the knack,
Sorry, but the rooster would’ve made a great snack
As to Aunt Fay, now I know she’s not snorting crack,
And, if she starts to diet, don’t consult a quack.
written October 7, 2021
On this day of remembrance,
To give thanks for what we own,
Many are much more somber,
And sadness is the tone.
I can sit here and ponder,
All that I don’t have,
Or choose to put on joy,
Like an ancient herbal salve.
We all have a perspective,
That we view our lives from,
Sanguine or naysayer,
The contented and the glum.
I may have few possessions,
Noteworthy wealth in my life,
But I have riches like a king,
In people like my wife.
My life may be in turmoil,
As chaotic as a twister,
But family is my anchor,
In the love of my two sisters.
I have a roof over my head,
And meals three times a day,
I have the understanding of family,
As I rest, write and play.
My body desires to fail me,
And at times my mind gives way,
My thoughts often hazy,
And melt like warm sorbet.
My family has a value,
That surfeit gold cannot compare,
And regardless of possessions,
I have nothing to despair.
Upon this day of thanks,
While food conceals the table,
Take time to love your family,
While you still are able.
Warren Wurzburger
November, 2010
My twin
is a close friend.
Together since our birth
Through play, school, work, we share the joy
And hurt.
"What would you like for Christmas?" he'd asked
But I couldn't tell him "A good nights sleep,
A bit of help around the house,
Maybe putting your dirty washing in the bin."
That would imply resentment was running deep,
And I'm not resentful, I'm really not.
But with washing and cleaning and feeding the kids
Ferrying to nursery, swimming, dancing,
Shopping and cooking and a part-time job,
I am so exhausted, I just can't think.
And then there's Christmas itself;
The cards to buy and write and post,
The presents to wrap and hide from the kids,
The food to plan and cook
Incorporating of course everyone's dietary needs.
I love Christmas , I realy do. I'm just so tired.
So I reply, "Just some perfume would be nice,
What would you like love?".
"A good nights sleep would be great!" he replies.
Familiarity carved on a strong sense of belonging
And around similar interests, religiously protected
More powerful than the influence of the DNA
In all situations, such identity still stands strong
Love serving as the remarkable evidence, staying
Young even while the relationship ages
A large group in tow
big families show
some strain.
But music we know
everywhere we go
free rein.
We set the tempo,
sung a capello
right brain.
No tension, no pain
enjoyment we gain
we sing
of nothing profane
for who can complain
arms swing.
Though the pitch may wane
volume we sustain
with zing.
Reunion’s the thing
big family fling
why so?
To meet new offspring
older cousins bring
cargo:
food for the feeding
songs we'll be needing
pronto.
March 23, 2023
Kim Rodrigues' Write Me a Virelai contest
In Fairy Tales...
Mother cuddles you at her bosom...
Father bounces you on his knee
In nightmares...called reality
Mommy and daddy
Are antagonists in a stage tragedy
Where their absence or dysfunction
Make it nearly impossible
To imagine happiness...
Or dream dreams.
But thanks to your love and support
I can envision a time...
When my children
Will be cuddled and bounced...
By their parents.
Bless you for intervening in my life
Making my childrens' fairy tales...
Reality.
Copyright 2016 Iger Rolyat All Rights Reserved
My friend my friend
Supporting me anywhere
Acting like my mom
Caring me anytime
My friend my friend
Sharing your feelings
Solving the problem
You are always my family
[GAN YUKI - SERI JUBLI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MALAYSIA]
Granduncle Rey was inimitable… uncommon.
He could make a story out of a passing wind
and have me crying, giggling like an imp--
this God-given knack could spin yarns of myth
that even my siblings rasp with bulging eyes ,
mouths wide as a crater, entranced from
delicate plots soaked in mystery.
Every trail climbed one step away from anticipation,
but a story was a story, the larger the better…
how could a pirate turn into a lizard
or eve's starlight emerge as a queen?
It didn’t matter what the tale was about,
for between, “And then” and “Later on,”
my ears were sucked deep into
another world beyond my own knowing.
Ambling on with this gifts of plums and gab,
my adolescent days romped with our exchanges--
his warm commentaries of asteroids, pharaohs,
and eternity made me a student of life,
that when he breathed last this year...I was ripped
only to build my own tales in life's center stage.
-------------
Royal Relationships Contest
Sponsor: Chantelle Anne Cook 5/15/2020
Dirt Driveways
Who knew that dirt driveways lead to happy homes?
That Prince Charming’s white horse is really a black BMW.
That our kingdom would consist of his, mine, and ours.
Who knew that fairytale castles came in split-level houses with cathedral ceilings? That the beauty in the house comes from the twists and turns in the architecture. That such warmth could come from gray walls...I never knew gray was so warm.
Who knew that 4+2 equals 7 or at least it did when we added 9 more months…
That little pitter-patter feat could inspire such joy in all the kingdom's subjects. That this blended family isn’t blended at all but each whole with its parts making up something more extraordinary than any traditional whole.
Who knew that mud rooms decorated with boots and shoes of different sizes, shapes, and styles strewn about in a pattern called “life” could rival any grand hall. That my glass slippers would come under the Christmas tree in a box labeled Uggs and not be glass at all but still fit just right...more right than glass.
Who knew that white picket fences or castle walls have nothing on simple rocks stacked and aged with moss, filled with timeless tales, a foundation that has stood a hundred years maybe more. Holding the secrets of what has been and what will be.
Who knew that sleeping beauty wasn’t lying still at all but sleepwalking through life...following a path laid out before her by other’s expectations. That when she awoke it wasn’t his kiss that held the power but the smell of a flower and the feel of the grass beneath her feet.
Who knew that it was presence that would allow a brighter future to be written. Her storybook didn’t have an ending. That happily ever after meant happy right now.
Who knew that dreams were built on wishes but fulfilled by perspective. That dirt driveways lead to kingdoms. That open minds lead to open hearts that give space to be filled by pitter-patter feet, not-so-white horses, and a split-level home that has nothing split about it.
Do you really care?
Sort out the black from white dress
So we live in peace.
Some day when I am living far, far away
I am looking down on this planet so grim,
Thinking how so few of us are here today
In my fantasy world all frivolity and whim,
Wondering what happened to all my kin
My! I should have kept better track of them.
Even those of my kith who were thin skin
Took offense at every minor family slight,
And secreted themselves away, t’was a sin.
I think of some who constantly stirred a fight
And, t’was said it’s common, like a family flu,
But thereby, settled over us all a nasty blight.
When mom and dad and their folks withdrew,
It was clear they were the cement, the glue.