A BIRTHDAY
by Joanna Gilman Hyde
The Hawk Portico 6:00pm
I have shed The Cloak
of Both My Parents
and That Which I shared with My Brother
Who would have been 51 today*
–
I am The Sole Survivor
of That Family
The Family I was born headlong into —
My “Old” Family —
as I have wrapped My Self anew
within Hunter, My Grown Children
and 7 Cats
*My brother Howard Talbot Walden Hyde was killed November 22, 2007, while in custody. His death prompted the three-year Hyde Inquiry which found his death to be accidental due to restraint by jail guards — namely one Henwood.
Joanna Gilman Hyde 
I am sorry to hear about your brother’s death. Families are sometimes created, sometimes they are found, but they are always our anchors in this topsy turvy world we live in. Loved the phrases “shed The Cloak” and “wrapped My Self anew”. I also love that you have 7 cats. 🙂
Thank you for such a sweet and considerate comment. I like it when readers pick out favourite lines. And I’m glad that you love it that we have seven cats.