RELATIVES

Some days, I'm determined

to demolish this
blind faith they gave me

and replace it
with something more contemporary,
like compassion—

which means learning 

to see 

every human being

whom I meet—not
as lost, but
sincere-

and
courageous-

ly stop-motion-dying.

Other days, I wish I was still

a little kid

on Christmas—

shucking unquestioningly
the things that
belong to me;

ungrateful, possibly

for some slight

minority,

but too timid—
and sinfully unaware 

of what anything costs.