Pater Familias

It is the space you occupy,
the silken broad seat
of memory.
Chaired by ones that seem to matter.
The powerful people
who see no need to shrink
like I do every day
in shreds of my mind
when I remember the blues
gifted by you
in deceitful munificence.
Our secret:
you are special princess,
do not tell,
do as I tell you.

After forty years
I damn you, father.
You were the sinner,
though I make confession
on your behalf.