That family history we haul
has no study to explain it to
anyone – we stumble with a
step-by-step to summon us
as we rise from our pasts – I
read ‘bout others in an auld
set of encyclopaedias – such
books my kids will not greet
with enquiry – my education
began with a page my father
had pawed [so thin] – I don’t
know why I was made in ‘63
& why I’ll break – when may
be a future choice – mine –
a blunder [half-told] was my
conception [too close to my
older brother to claim rights
to difference in mislaid time
& lining-ups] – & my mother
reminded me of my history
[& screamed her misgivings
relating to my relationships]