A Real American Family

Full of smiles and laughter,

Hugs and encouragement

A place to call home –

In my family,

I feel as if I don’t belong

I just remain silent as we eat “family dinner”

Thankfully that’s only every once in a while

They make me feel sad inside

Instead of joyous and full of life

My mother and her constant smiles,

Her constant patronizing manner

My sister and her negativity,

Her attitude that she’s better than me –

It all just drives me crazy!

My dad is the only one I can really relate to

But even he sometimes makes me feel like a stranger

This doesn’t seem real

It’s just like a play

Where everything is perfect,

At least from the outside

I don’t know what I’m supposed to do

I want to cry but the tears won’t come

I don’t know how to make this better

I want to love my family,

Honestly I do

But all I can manage to do,

Is sit here and feel bland.