Cousin Carl

It was hard to hate cousin Carl.

There was no evil in the man.

He never held any job for long;

Money slipped through his fingers

Like rain water down a grate—

Washing so many false hopes to the sea.

He was like a sweet dog

Who could not be trained:

A rambunctious, eager golden retriever—

Ever willing to play, to show affection

But never able to obey rules

For more than a second or two;

And never recognizing what was bad

Or harmful, until too late;

And then quickly forgetting.

It is not easy to live each day

With such a man,

But he is no easier to hate

Than a loving, vulnerable

Over-eager dog.

#UnitedNationsInternationaldayoflivingtogetherinpeace