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enjoy this Christopher Hivner writing in the Scars Publications free 2016 PDF file chapbook: The Corrosion (click on the front cover image or the title text to download the free PDF file)				You can also order this as a 2016 6" x 9" perfect-bound paperback ISBN# book! Click on the book cover & order The Corrosion as a full color cover book today!

The Family Requiem

Christopher Hivner

Falling out
from under
and into
over through.
The only chance
we stand
is from our
own demise.

***

I
Mother comes home
from shopping,
a pharmaceutical smile
and clothes
that don’t fit her.
Junior disapproves
but isn’t bold enough
to form the words
with a tongue so young.

Dinner’s on
all fried, steamed and creamed.
The kids dig in
while mommy waits
in the bathroom
for daddy
to come home.
From his perch
Junior eyes the door.

II
Even
eventually
there’s only so much
he can take,
a father’s son,
a man’s man,
where does perfection
come from
and when
does it end?

III
Daddy’s home,
a parade for
the hero,
the King!
the King!
Daughter at his feet,
but the Prince
fades to black.

IV
The fabled end
is near.

V
Mother puts dinner
on the table
for the man
she loves.
His musk
nauseates her
mixed so sweetly
with others.

Small talk, small talk,
where have you been?
Small talk,
small talk,
The children are starting
to ask questions.
Small talk,
save your lies
for them.
Speak fast
while they still believe in you.

VI
The King proclaims
all is well
in his kingdom.
Go to bed
prince and princess,
dream of
your desires.

VII
The fable
ends here.

VIII
Screaming
heard through
thin walls,
the Prince tries to sleep
while
the Princess cries.
This is their
lullaby.
Rock-a-bye baby
in the treetop,
when the wind blows
the King
takes his crown
by force.

* * *

Falling out
from under
and into
over through.
The only chance
we stand
is from our
own demise.

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