By: Richard D. Hartwell

Suffer anguish of memory,
family close as sticky-rice,
grain to grain, gene to gene,
coagulated and congealed.

Cannot un-remember
psychological molestation,
brutality of hidden scars,
rage of emotional rape.

Dark memories filled with white lies,
spoiled childhood no others envied,
shrouds of innocence covered over
guilty pleasures from prying eyes.

Pre-pubescent shame, adult pain,
presented with sour-full explanation,
adamant no forgiveness to be given
those who never sought absolution.

Holding on to recollections,
refusing to relinquish ghosts
haunting my private buffet;
I refuse to feast on my heritage.