My Family
by Nyshea Branch

My family
always taught me
that blood
was thicker
than water

My family
always taught me
to keep my friends close
and my enemies closer

Closer?

Why would I want someone I don’t like close to me?

My family
always taught me
ha what’s understood
doesn’t need to be explained

So I don’t say a thing

Because my family
always taught me
that you are
your worst critic

My family
taught me that
even though we descend
from different places

the blood in our veins trail from the same places.