US

a villanelle

by Eileen Albrizio

 

Once we were us, a family

stuffed tight inside a set of walls

Mom and Dad, four boys and me.

 

Our relatives kept company

in pictures hanging in the halls.

Once we were us, a family.

 

Many days we’d disagree

on things that led to spats and brawls.

Mom and Dad, four boys and me.

 

But always cleaned up the debris.

Patched up our wounds, survived the squalls.

Once we were us, a family.

 

One brother died, and soon we’d see

one more pass on, so fate befalls

Mom and Dad, four boys and me.

 

Another left and that was three.

Then father answered his sons’ calls.

Once we were us, a family.

Mom and Dad, four boys and me.