Ph: Life: If Only I'd ' Bermembered! ' Poem by Brian Johnston

"If I'd 'bermembered' Quincy (1)then
I never would have come."
This four-year-old, (2)her hands on hips,
Made older kids feel dumb!

The thought, of raising voice to Dad,
Sent ice chills down my spine.
But when a child tells power truth,
It's years best Valentine!

There's not a dry eye in the house,
As tears of laughter fell,
Meals at our home un-tabled threats,
Dad's bully fun was Hell!

"House rule! Kids eat what I provide
Or taste 'thump on the bean'! "
And kids want Justice tastier,
False Gods not heard, not seen!

But in this life, though rain will fall,
Most bullies are a fraud,
"Thank heaven Quincy's not soul's dad, "
A child knows something's odd!


Brian Johnston
January 23,2018

Poet's Notes:
(1)Quincy Johnston was my father and most likely an abused child himself!
(2)Cathy Neighbors was my younger cousin on Mom's side of the family! I was eight or nine at the time I think!

When my about four-year-old cousin Cathy Neighbors came with her family for a visit one year, she was sitting beside my dad for the noon meal. He reminded her, as the meal was about to end that she had to clean her plate, or he would give her a "thump on the bean! " Outraged, it prompted her angelic response, which our whole family still laughs about!