I am an only child for whom the spoiled and pampered myths are not the full truth given that 40 of my 54 first cousins were mostly older than me, and were as proficient at kicking me in the butt and as they were in taking me by the hand as my behavior or attitude required. And, sure, the 40+ aunts and uncles across three generations were attentive and indulgent to the kiddo who was often the only young one around – but that also meant they could be sharp-eyed and far-sighted and level-headed all at once when I needed to be pulled aside for correction before (or instead of) my parents came to know about the transgression of the moment.

That was the assignment for the second session of my mid-day Monday writing class. I seldom compose poems, and when I do, what emerges if often about my Evans-Stafford-Svelstad-Alexander family - you know, those people I don't share blood with but with who I do share soul covenants. And, I've shared just one of those poems publicly - then in an English masters thesis, which pretty much guaranteed fewer than 10 readers.

YouTube video by Marsh Family

YouTube video by Michael Kryton

The film-maker behind Selma and 13th will focus on the 14th amendment for a new film out later this year as Donald Trump targets those protected by it