Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Vol. 98, No. 4 & 5. Whole No. 588 & 589, October 1991

His father towered over him

With disapproving eyes.

His overbearing rectitude

Soon lead to his demise.

His mother hovered over him

With sharp, possessive eyes.

That she was sent to join her spouse

Should come as no surprise.

Disdain was in his sister’s eyes,

Contempt was in his brother’s:

Their fate was written in the stars—

They went to join the others.

And now he’d live in blissful peace,

Unchained from family strife,

But nature’s laws hold him in thrall—

He badly wants a wife.