The Heirloom

He was an empty, box-like thing beyond

my reach above the wardrobe, round bronze face

inscribed with words that were too strange and long

and far away for childhood eyes to read.

At times, when forced by others, she'd refer

to him by title and relationship:

“Your cousin” or “Great uncle Will” as if

he never had a common tie with her.

While all the time a fading portrait hung

above her chair: a stranger, posed behind