Nephew in the Wild

Alicia
She married young
The year she was widowed
She had a son
On Christmas
Or when you’d pass through
You’d bring Danzig records
For your nephew

In hard times
Kids grow up fast
Please be there for him
Your sister would ask
He’s trouble
Just like you were
With girls & with teachers
Without a father

Like you
When you were a child
A young nephew out in the wild

At sixteen
He dropped out of school
Took off with some jewelry
His dad’s coat & tools
He called you
From the bus depot
With his girlfriend pregnant
& nowhere to go

You told him
That he should go home
& said you were sorry
& hung up the phone
Then no one
Heard from him at all
When Alicia came crying
You didn’t mention his call

Like you
When you were a child
Your nephew’s out in the wild