the rich uncle

the rich uncle died
on his boat in florida,
leaving you nothing, why would
he?
but as a child
you remember him
arriving in his white Cadillac
and white
suit from Philly
to visit.
he thought the front of your
mother's house
must be the back.
what with the chain
linked fence and dog
tied to a tree.
he gave everyone a five dollar
bill
at each visit. patting you
on the head
with a look of disdain
and sorrow.
he never stayed over
or sat in a chair,
but he asked where the liquor
store was
so he could load up
his trunk with whiskey,
the taxes being lower here.