Family, my sweet family,
let me tell you what I see
Mother who is only a mother
when the firstborns have arrived
Brother who is only a brother
when he wishes to be in our lives
Sister who is only a sister
on days she wants to love us well
Father is only a father
when he has time to dwell
But again we must gather
together in this formal way
As it was and always will
be expected on such holidays

Written May 8, 2005