Perhaps the only way to understand my country is to be a parent. Share on X

A COUNTRY OF FOUR-YEAR-OLDS

I sometimes feel
that the only way
to understand my country
is to be a parent.

I live in a land
for which the response
“because I can”
is a valid argument
and “because I said so”
works just as well
to dissuade;

where freedom is more
important than community,
until we get hurt.

Today my son is cranky
because his MeeMee and Paw Paw left
and his sad comes out as anger
so all he wants is nothing

and when we go to bed
he’ll whine when I call him
to come brush his teeth
“I don’t want to!”
but structure wins:
teeth, pajamas, books.

Tonight he’ll fall asleep
with clean teeth
beside his Momma
at peace.