Relatives

the road home was long
as I recall now...
not home as we knew it,
a home of relatives,
in another land...  that
smelled of tobacco
farms and fences 
retched smells of manure
screen doors and flies;
strangers at the very least
gathered around...
admiring one's growth
and features,
claiming resemblances
for the sake of being nice,
I supposed with a
confused, glossy gaze;
words were spoken
by the stranger's leader
my grandfather
was I told later when
it made no difference,
words no understood
spoken softly
like a whisper...
jumbled together like
not wanting you to know
what was said...
the meal was delicious
the bed too soft
the weather cold
and I missed Rebel who
was staying with the vet.

November 27, 2025