A Hidden Family
We thought our childhood unique
A dysfunction so truly rare
Taught to listen not to speak
The secrets we cannot share
With parental inflection
The hypocrisy takes hold
Withheld wanted affection
A prize bartered and sold
In being the shining example
Of who I should strive to be
Honesty becomes trampled
Hidden sins no one can see
Everyone has their flaws
We were forced to admit ours
Proper when said duty calls
Everything must seem on par
All that I could learn from you
Kept in a dark and silent past
Left to wonder what words were true
The failings in light now cast
Surely some lessons were there
Something important to be learned
But talk of lives before so rare
When your past is cleared and burned
Why, when in life you stumbled
Untruths given with fragile pride
Could you not be more humbled
And show your human, flawed side
Maybe then I would not fear
That I now carry that same sin
Afraid to let anyone too near
Finding my truth somewhere within
Yes, I have failed in such glorious ways
Fallen short it could be easily said
But I will spend the rest of my days
Living my truth before I am dead
commonsensiblyspeaking 
So wonderfully done, and beautiful expressed. Love the message as well… Great poetry Brad💜
Thank you so much! I appreciate your support and kind words! ❤
You;re very welcome. Love the poem
How different would we be as the people we are now if we had been allowed to know truths that were hidden from us? For one thing, we’d be willing to accept our humanness to a greater degree without always striving to do better – be better. But, we cannot change the past – we have to learn to accept it and maybe, in time, forgive it – and take the lessons learned to heart so that we don’t make those same mistakes in our own lives. I say on this… the YOU of today has turned out pretty damned great, no matter how you got here!
As I had hoped, you have the deeper understanding and closer perspective to understand where these words come from. I do not lament the path I have travelled, just always been confused why the path, at times, held so little real light. Learning includes recognizing the attributes in others that should not be emulated. So, in a way, it is all good! See you soon with many hugs and kisses!
These imperfections make us human. You write what we all go through , Brad. It’s okay to feel the way you do. We all do too in some point in our lives.
That is such a kind and appreciated reminder Yasmine! You always remind me I am not alone in anything and I love you for it! ❤
You are welcome, Brad 😊
GORGEOUS 🥺💜
Thank you Megha! You are too kind. ❤
Sounds like me and my family. You have captured in verse my desire for truth.
We all think our own families were uniquely dysfunctional, but truth is we all dealt with the same kind of shit. Like you, I could have done with a bit of honesty or openess in the earlier years. I am sorry that anyone ever made you feel like you didn’t deserve the truth. That is never the case! 🖤
I think it was just different times, love. For me, I grew up in the same town my Mom grew up in. It’s a garbage place now, but back then it was all families that had been there forever. Secrecy is just the way it was. My parents were the very first to get divorced in the community believe it or not, which got people talking. The more people talked, the more secrets unraveled.
Secrets are like a thread on a sweater. All it takes is one good pull. And I would agree our childhoods were different eras, Thanks for the reminder of that. 🤨
Different eras than now darling. I wasn’t calling you old! 🤣
I must have been projecting…sorry 😁
It’s ok. I just meant that when we were growing up, there was no social media or internet, so we didn’t have this over-sharing culture that we do now. Families kept things to themselves.
Our experiences will always be part of who we are; what you make of them is up to you. Sounds like you have learned from those experiences and become a better person as a result.
Much learning left to do, but thank you for your kindness and your wisdom. I do agree with you. You can play victim or victor, this choice is up to you.
This is so relatable, Brad. So well put.