Family Strife Poem by Deanna Samuels

What happens when there is misunderstanding, family strife
How does it happen, what word, what action occurred
Often, no more than an innocent or insensitive comment
Barely noticed, but for some, so hurtful, fiercely resented

The wound builds up in the mind out of all proportion
Grows as a monster from such original small root
Once embedded, so deeply consumes
Hard to dislodge, disassemble to logical conclude

The fog, the cloud around diminishes a simple solution
If only to ask the meaning, the reason, the intention
Of the underlying thought, how it came about
Why it was said, done, at that moment of doubt

For years, the grievance festers, unforgiven, unforgotten
Into the next generation the feud exudes, permeates
Elder's word of mouth keeps family closed, cousins apart
Cheating the young, unyieldingly, without change of heart

Many years go by, the aged mind becomes dim and dark
No recall, no memory of why or when began that family break
Death occurs, first and second cousins reluctantly, hesitantly meet
Observe each other, see similarities of face and stature, family traits

The fascination of who is who, which line of parentage they claim
The cousins are abuzz, why have they been kept so long apart
Not knowing each other, not growing up to be a whole family unit
They meld together quickly, happily, making up for lost time

The question is sought, when, why, how did the family strife start
No one knew, not even uncles or aunts had an answer to impart
What a waste, a tragedy, two generations of family united lost
From a deed past, a word spoken, not speedily amicably resolved

(Written at Richmond Hill, Ontario, on 2nd August 2016)