A Family of Seven

--Your Mama’s on Welfare
and y’all got cooties, are taunts
that sting. It’s hard to get five year old
Jordan into the bath just
once a week when they visit
aunt Esther.

Their small shack in the country
has no water, yet being the
oldest brother of six is okay. Even
though Sheldon knows they’re
downright poor,
he sure loves his family

‘cause when he plays in the yard, he
forgets things that make him
feel bad. Arms busy wrestling with
Harry, feet racing Mike for the Soccer
ball, and…and..

finally worn-out tired Sheldon asks,
--Mom? Supper ready? Nice to have a
big brother like that, now grown
up into age eleven.

© Richard L. Provencher