Father Figure....................... (for Yuki)

The children have picked up
my bad habits
scattered them across
the livingroom floor
making a mess
for me to trip over
or clean up

They have emptied
my emotional pockets
spilt the contents
on the kitchen table
challenging me
to lose my temper
but it is already gone

Exhausted, I cling
to a notion of responsibility:
As model
their role model
I must set
an example

So I smile
fatherly, and say
"It's past your bedtime,
brush your teeth now,
prepare for bed."

And they obey
leaving me to figure out
what in the world
I am doing right

© 1995, TAJ

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