advent journal: missed opportunity

advent journal: missed opportunity
1

I have a growing list of words and phrases I have collected from things I have read and heard. I am hoping to use them as kindling for a poetry book. Tonight, I offer one of the poems to you. The inciting phrase is “the compliment of your curiosity.” Here is what it set to burning.

missed opportunity

when my brother decided to become a musician

I ceased to be one in the eyes of my parents

they felt they had to choose so we didn’t compete

but we both loved to sing every song became his solo

I brought my guitar home from college every chance I had

hoping for the compliment of their curiosity

when my mother finally asked what I was singing one Christmas

afternoon I didn’t know how to take the compliment

I should say she meant well but I wanted her to know

all the music she had missed I don’t think I kept singing

or that I ever brought my guitar home with me again

the words we think we deserve are so much harder to hear

Peace, Milton