Thanksgiving, St. Nicholas Day, Christmas, New Year’s Eve… all of these times bring our families together don’t they?

Tender Conspiracy
by Michael Romani

Joined together in tender conspiracy
These are the truths found in family
Little secrets and jokes that are told
As the curse of our cards as life unfolds

A little sugar coats the loving pursuit
Of little treasures that each of us loots
There is good in the bad of stories we hide
All in the name of love and family pride

Like the time the sunset slipped
Despite our best efforts at being tight lipped
All those things we knew weren't quite right
As we all grew older and still we made light

Like firecrackers that went off to way too quick
Or the lotto tickets that Grandma picked
Jokes told at each other's loving expense
Failing to smell the alcohol at great pretense

Like the recipe ingredients we kept hidden
Except for everyone including the family children
The chasing of ducks into the pond we went end after end
And that no one knew who ate the cookies, so we pretend

Who are we to stand in this or that way
Or to reveal whose eyes didn't shut as we bowed to pray
No one is going to tell about the time we snuck to play
Or who broke what pretending there were dragons to slay

Yes, indeed on the other side of heartache
Are the things that made for our double take
As our bellies rumble with thoughts and laughter
Keeping at the keeping that always brings cheer

These are the things thought of this time of year
The sweet memories and ghosts of smiles so sincere
Happily looking back on and in all the good ole ways
I'll hold onto them dearly until the end of my days 

(c) November 20, 2018  Michael Romani
All Rights Reserved