Photo Joey Lee

DON’T TELL ANYONE

A common refrain

Ringing out

Mostly from broken people

Families with a chip

In the old China

They weren’t able

Fell into the trap

Had it happen

Anything but the truth

Don’t show weakness

Or difference

Have to be the same

Outsiders look through

Clear glass windows

But don’t see the

Shattered crystal bowl

On the table

Under the portrait

Of a time frozen

That never existed

Say it in

Hushed tones

If you must

But keep it here

In the family

If they find out

All of us will

Suffer

Have to answer

And the worst

Face it

Admit it

Reality is a

Cruel game

For they who hide

Pretending I’m not

There here

Part of them

Of them

Them