My Inheritance

It is time, said Mother and Father to me,
One morning while I was just watching TV.
I stood up and looked at them curiously,
Wondering why they were acting strangely.

I followed them outside, we walked on out back,
They smiled and pointed at a rundown old shack,
The side boards were splitting, the windows were cracked,
The paint, once so pretty, was moldy and black.

This wonderful house, they said, it’s for you.
Our parents gave it to us; we’ve kept it like new.
Yes, there might be a small problem or two,
But we’re sure you can deal with any issue.

I stood and I nodded, unsure what to say.
I stood still and silent for most of that day.
Til finally I spoke and said, If I may
I’d like to point out that this house is decayed.

The door here is broken, and there is no knob,
Right there on the side is a big slimy blob,
I’d think it a palace if I were a slob,
But now looking at it makes me want to sob.

When Grandma and Grandpa gave this house to you –
And I’ve seen pictures – it looked like brand new.
They handed it down, gave it to you two,
So what happened to it, tell me what did you do?

My parents looked at me as if they were mad,
They gave me a look that was angry and bad.
They said, Here we thought that you would be glad,
We’re handing this home down to you, my dear lad.

Sure, it’s seen better days, they said with a frown,
But, really, it’s great for a nice hand-me-down.
We know that this all might be one big letdown,
But at least it’s still standing, though slightly rundown.

What did you expect? they asked with a growl.
You know we’ve been busy, they said with a scowl.
We’ve had so much to do, you’ve no right to howl,
And tell us our caretaking methods are foul.

Don’t judge the nice house just by looking outside:
Walk through the door, view your new home with pride.
I nodded and walked through the door with a sigh,
And what I saw in that house made me start to cry.

Holes in the floor, in the ceiling and walls,
Rats, mice, and snakes in the closets and halls,
A family of possums inside the drywall:
I took a deep breath and refused to bawl.

Okay, I said aloud, nodding my head.
You should have done better, I’ve already said.
But this is no time for anger and dread.
There’s no time to argue, let’s fix this instead.

My parents, they nodded, and got right to work.
I kicked out the animals from where they lurked.
We swept and we mopped with a smile and a smirk,
And got down to business with good old teamwork.

This house is a gift from one group to another,
Right down through the ages, to children from mothers.
So many marvels still to be discovered,
So many joys yet to be uncovered.

And now it’s my turn to take care of this place,
And work to make sure that it’s not a disgrace.
For I will have children one day and this space
Is all that they’ll have – it can’t be replaced.