• Mother, father, and brother talking

    Talking just after midnight

    Underneath a sea of weary stars

    Sheltered by a house of the old days

    They’re talking of good

    “Better things are to come”

    Mother says assuringlly

    The chains dragging

    As she puts away the dishes

    Clicking and sparking as she goes

    Little brother playing with the ball and chain

    Rolling the lead across the kitchen floor

    Only to be drug a little further as the chain pulls him along

    Father flipping the channels

    On that old black and white television

    Going to drink the precious water

    But the water isn’t water anymore

    The handcuffs tear a little more as he struggles against the strain

    Big sister crying over the lost cause words

    As she mourns the talk

    The grave can only hold her back