6000
I remember family reunions
As a child.
They were a big thing.
Aunts and uncles
And cousins
Would drive in from all over
For a day in the park
Featuring cousin Harold’s famous barbecue,
Hay rides,
Dinner at Granny’s,
And a sermon about cherishing family
At Piney Grove Baptist Church.
Pastor Jackson had a way
Of making everyone appreciate
Our time together.
As a child,
I just knew
That times like that would last forever.
But,
Everything changed
When Uncle Buddy died
And Granny had the stroke.
Uncles and aunts are always fighting
And us grandkids aren’t as close.
Can’t even remember the last time
I wished Quin’ton a happy birthday
Or received a Christmas card
From Elouise.
And the upcoming generation
Doesn’t get stories of the birds and bees.
They get iPhones and Snapchat
And tattoos by sixteen.
They’re taught
To follow celebrities
Instead of their dreams.
We’re falling for everything
Now that the pillars of the family
No longer stand.
We’re holding on to grudges
Instead of holding hands.
If only I could bring back the times
When family meant more
Than simply being related,
Perhaps
The world that I was raised to contribute to
Wouldn’t be fading.
Copyright 2018 by Kentrell Blanche
