The Older Generation.

Three of my grandparents died
before I was old enough
to make memories.
The fourth, I saw rarely,
and remember
as very deaf,
blind in one eye,
short and bald,
and not having a lot to say
to a small girl.

My father died when I was 36
followed by my mother
nine months later
on New Year's Eve
when I was 37.
I started 1989
an orphan.

One by one
the uncles and aunts
joined my parents
and grandparents
and the greats and great greats
until the last death
left me the hereditary title:
The Older Generation.