04-15-2025, 12:35 AM
A brother like Cain to Abel,
or Caracalla to Geta,
or Claudius to King Hamlet
never spared a thought for his mater
or pater familias, their branding,
posthumous social standing
for siring a human gator.
Sometimes, having similar genes
only means
envy, strife, and murder
with sword or rock or girder.
And so it can be better as an only child
whose parents are mild
having no other darl but he
or she. Though wild
and unruly, papa'll say naught
but 'If you're feeling hot,
little prince or princess, there's ice cream.'
or Caracalla to Geta,
or Claudius to King Hamlet
never spared a thought for his mater
or pater familias, their branding,
posthumous social standing
for siring a human gator.
Sometimes, having similar genes
only means
envy, strife, and murder
with sword or rock or girder.
And so it can be better as an only child
whose parents are mild
having no other darl but he
or she. Though wild
and unruly, papa'll say naught
but 'If you're feeling hot,
little prince or princess, there's ice cream.'