There was a time, distant yet clear in my mind,

When we sat together in the restaurant’s dimming light,

Just being a family, no more, no less,

Sharing small talk, sharing life.

And when the night hummed in over our burnt barbeques,

I remember everything said, which too hilarious to put to the table.

I remember the echo of our laugh, 

that puts me to bed, missing that evening immediately.

There was a time, distant yet near,

When I wrestled my youth, yet held home dear.

This house, now aged, its walls sigh,

The mess is cleared, the rooms now neat,

But silence lingers, heavy and sweet.

The guests have left, their visits over,

For the family they knew had long been parted.

No longer a chorus, no longer one,

But scattered hearts, each chasing their role.