I cringe when I remember ...

I cringe when I remember

Some of the things I did as a lad

My parents thought I was mischievous

The cops thought I was bad

I cringe when I remember

My Dad never liked me since my birth

My Mum loved us all equally

Dad thought I had zero worth

I cringe when I remember

Christmas Eve 1978

You kids ruined my life

Dad shouted from his gate

I cringe when I remember

That’s the last time us four were side by side

The last time we shared anything

Twas not the last time we all cried

I cringe when I remember

Getting married in 1983

I should’ve run for miles

I could have been free

I cringe when I remember

Christmas Eve 1992

My Fiancé passed away

Part of my heart died that day too

I cringe when I remember

2009 when my Uma was laid to rest

In the church we were divided

We failed that family test

I cringe when I remember

Uncle Ted  2nd August 2017

He was the first man to love me

The greatest Upa that’s ever been.

I cringe when I remember

2020, Dad in his hospital bed

He told the nurses I’m the drug addict

I’m not broken that he is dead

I cringe when I remember

December 7th 2023

Little Elizabeth was born sleeping

Tore the heart right out of me.

I cringe when I remember

That I do not own my own home

That one-day I’ll work no more

Someday I’ll die, all alone.

Copyright Poetry in paradise Reg Tm # 1028534 17/03/2024