The Modern Family

By Zachary Choi

“I hate my parents and they hate me”

Is all I hear, syllables and beat.

But what are you, without your family.

Maybe, they don’t understand Gen Z,

Which is different from the word on my street:

“I hate my parents and they hate me.”

Maybe, the change was made too swiftly,

It takes time to accomplish a feat.

But what are you, without your family.

Maybe, you didn’t answer nicely,

But at least talk and acknowledge their seat,

“I hate my parents and they hate me”

Without them, you’ll have zero safety,

Warm smile and heartwarmingly sweet,

But what are you without your family.

You’ll have no-one with true honesty.

Honestly, no-one that will talk plainly.

“I hate my parents and they hate me.”

But what are you without your family?

The Modern Family (“Not a Villanelle” version)

By Zachary Choi

“I hate my parents and they hate me”

Is all I hear when I take my seat.

But what are you, without your family?

Maybe, they don’t understand Gen Z,

Which is different from the word on my street:

“I hate my parents and they hate me.”

Maybe, our society should speak more slowly,

Instead of the impatient indifference our elders face 

daily.

But what are you, without your family?

Maybe, you didn’t answer nicely,

But at least talk and acknowledge their seat,

“I hate my parents and they hate me”

Without them, you’ll have zero safety,

Warm smile, so heartwarmingly sweet,

But 

what 

are 

you, 

without your family?

Nobody left with true honesty.

Honestly, no-one left to show you your mistakes.

“I hate my parents and they hate me.”

But what are you, without your family?