Empire of Exiles

Empire of Exiles by DJ Cline

As I passed through the houses of others

They showed me their family pictures

Most lived down the street or across town

But others were barely noted

Whispered stories of a lost city

An empire of exiles

Forgotten fathers

Missing mothers

Unknown uncles

Absent aunts

Unkissed cousins

Neglected nieces and nephews

They passed through some golden gate

They were the most colorful leaves on the highest branches

Carried by the wind to a friendlier forest

Far from the roots of their family trees.

For Future Reference