the in laws visit

the in-laws
come and stay too long.
the snow has kept
them here.
kept them
in a room on the second floor,
with a dresser,
a small tv,
a mirror. they are
trying hard
to not be in the way.
to not correct
the children
as they misbehave.
they want to leave though.
back to the beach.
back on the road
to Delaware.
they've packed and set
their suitcases
by the door, they've sat
in the big chair,
built a fire,
and waited for everyone to
come home to say goodbye,
they pass the new book
by harper lee
back and forth neither unable
to get past a dozen
pages.
the grandfather goes
to the window
to stare out into the vast
yard. he says nothing,
having said so
much for so long and
been unlistened to.