I attended a memorial today for my first cousin, once removed, my mother’s cousin who showed at the funerals of both my parents. How could I not fly across the country to mark his passing?

family asserts, sending roots
which become us, their shoots:

defiant, ambivalent, loving,
we only succeed in proving

our roots run deeper. They belie
that upon which we say we rely.

Rare friend indeed who commands
instant connection, instant demands

upon our heart. Relatives though
take love for granted, seem to know

our innermost secrets, history:
this connection remains our mystery.

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82/100
100 poems in 100 days