Villanelle

My grandmother was tortured, so she tortured us,

Called my mom fat, dumb, told her to "see a shrink,"

Though we all got pretty used to that. She was boss,

And no matter what age, or number of kids you toss

On the family pyres, you always stood on the brink.

My grandmother was tortured, so she tortured us

Wherever and whenever, and with a minimum of fuss,

She'd identify the target like a cat springs on a moving thing!

Though we all got pretty used to that, she was boss

In love with you for awhile, only to snap and cuss

Into your face till the teas flowed, and you fled the outing.

My grandmother was tortured, so she tortured us.

I guess is was to make us stronger, make us more robust

Of spirit, able to take on the world and never shrink!

Though we all got pretty used to that, she was boss,

And since love in a family has to bear its own cross,

We licked our wounds and hugged her with a wink.
My grandmother was tortured, so she tortured us.
Though we all got pretty used to that. She was boss.