extensions

when i did marry you
i married not your clan
And it was never my plan

Now i remain encumbered
with a blanket for grandparents
money for your parents
And presents for your siblings

Today it is your uncle
Tomorrow comes your aunt
The next day is your aunt's
cousin's younger daughter
Then your brother's younger
wife's cousin from misango.

The whole clan comes
Expecting me to keep smiling
Expecting me to keep loving
When i should be lamenting
At how slow your people
Are at adapting to
Why can't people learn
That we need privacy?

Why the extended greetings
Extended begging hands
Extended vexing expectations
Extended immense families
Extended systems of egalitarianism
Extended marriage extensions
With redistributive mechanisms?

Why can't people learn
That we need privacy?
Why have they done this to me?
Why have they?
Why?