the years we fell apart

at dinners his wife plays music on the stereo

beethoven. or sometimes

when she is too drunk

she accidently puts on

one of their sons

cds and they

eat their playing-card size

cut of meat, and their two portions

of vegetables

to the sounds of horns

and trumpets

small childrens voices

merrily singing in harmony,

off key

when this happens

she tosses her head back



and laughs

and laughs

and laughs,



and the family just sits,

stares.



he sits and stares

and lets the show go on



its time his sons start

helping him clean up.

© Melissa Upfold