Hour 12

Family Closet

 

Keep the bad ones in the closet.

Sort of a family tradition to

keep the doors shut and locked.

Grown-ups kept the keys

in the liquor cabinet.

On special nights

after several cocktails,

they let the feelings out.

Children were not allowed to see

anger fly across the living room,

sadness seep into soup in the kitchen,

fear rattle the rafters.

Pretending to be happy,

compliant children kept their closets closed

until of legal age,

when they could get their own keys.

 

 

Sue Storts

09/02/2023