The Ties that Bind and Gag

Well, this is family,
These are the ties that bind,
and sometimes gag

Miter saws and angle
Three-hundred sixty degrees
in a circle
And all shapes—
No, that’s NOT right!
Shapes have different amounts
of angles, depending on
the number of sides.

Geometry and building,
versus theological symbology

Complementary and supplementary angles
screaming, “There’s one hundred
and eighty degrees
in a straight line —
and a triangle!”
No, that’s half of a circle,
a half rotation,
of physicality, materially —
attitudes & beliefs —

Grandfather jumping down
jobless poet’s throat,
ripping apart my character,
hopes and dreams:
“There’s an old saying I know,” quothe he,
“You don’t quit your job,
until you already have another one,”

Sister saves me
with pictures of her travels

Well, this is family, you know,
the ties that bind and gag,
but these are the holidays—
We’re all in this together!