Excerpt from "Snapshots of Life" by Casey Quinn

family of strangers

before
the internet
and computers
and video games

there were
movies
and television
and radio

and before
all of that

there was
a family

that just liked
to hang out

read books
and talk
to each other
about their
day.

***

i want to be just like John Wayne

drink my whiskey
while laying down
the law

a real, gritty,
down to earth,
no bull, straight shooting,
type of man

lead with actions
not words

stand up for
what is right

take the moral
high road

a man respected
and beloved
by all

yea,
i want to be
John Wayne

right after
i finish
my mocha latte

i'm going to my salon
and get my hair styled

get new denim clothes,
a big hat,
neckerchief
and cowboy boots.

i'm going to be
just like
him.