I remember sixteen,
It was all "what's for dinner"
and "could you do that somewhere else?"
and "I'm too tired to do dishes"
Unexpected anger
Due to cramped living quarters
I swear, every time I walk into the living room
he's there, reading the paper
watching boxing.
Pisses me off.
That gentle soul
Who paid for the shoes on my feet
The food on our table
The roof and walls that kept us safe and warm
Who loved my mother
And was so incredibly patient with me.
Embarrassment and shame now
admitting how much he irritated me.
Now I see a mirror in my sweetheart's house
Her son, irritated at being asked to help
What's for dinner, I'm so hungry
he says, having spent the last two hours
lying on the couch, watching TV
Waiting for her to come home
After working and going to school
Waiting to be waited on
It makes me mad for a minute
All the more because she puts up with it
But then I remember that patient man
Who put up with it
Who let it roll off his back
And I try to show some grace
And I tell her it's ok
That's just how boys are
And how he must feel safe and secure
To be able to mouth off like that
He feels unconditionally loved
And every so often
He shows some grace himself
He laughs at something I say
He asks my opinion
He wants me to side with him
Against the women in the house
Except for me, he's the only man now
So I'm happy to help him wage
That ongoing war of the sexes.
Til I get sent back to my house
Where there are only men.
