Oh, there are ups and downs in parenting!

Each son and daughter gave me pride and tears

Pride that swelled my heart and livened my step

When I see some strength that grew from us — me?

Tears against self — failing to do it right

Did I not discipline? love? teach enough?

 

The girls demanded all bedrooms clean

Conscientious — often, but not always.

Sons refused to “perpetrate” brand name clothes

competed to see who’d have the first car

Earned money by mowing and shoveling

Oh, but when they drank whatever they drank

broken arm!  burned building! hard lessons learned!

All turned out well, but oh the road was rough.

 

By Nancy Ann Smith     Amherst, Ohio

June 27, 2020    Poetry Marathon