It's a strange time when fruits don't fall off
But are frozen clinging  to the sap of their birth, 
Sheltered from new life by the green  of
The tweeting branch swinging in July wind

Protected? More like hopelessly waiting
For the seed to push through in the air, 
For the first greens to to start peeping 
Out while still hanging onto childhood

But it all withers, decays in future pale!
The wife keeps her father's name 
Lest the spark in the ring gets stale
And she gets forced to die to herself

The man calls his mum to figure out 
if that decision he just took makes
Sense, whether he is right to doubt
The advice of the adviser he chose

Lest he actually start something new,
Be the shining armor bearing the banner
Gleaming in battle dawn on grassy dew, 
Yes, lest he have to die for his spouse

The family isn't new, just a bad mixture
Of 2 before who in sacrifice built all
That this new couple's past calls  future
While they deceive each other with vows

So next time conflict rocks the branch's comfort
Ask where your loyalty lies, what banner
Do you brandish in a fray? Who deserves effort
in case of danger? Your spouse or your parents?
Answer plainly, and let hope and courage transport
The seed to a new you: one flesh vs the world.

(c) nyonglema