Lunch box realities

it's the little things

Today I packed their lunch boxes
for the 2200th time.

And brushed their hair
and kissed their faces
and sent them off to school.

Even when you were here
that just wasn't your thing.

Neither was the park,
the doctor, skinned knees,
or a million other little things.

Today I wait to see if a judge
will grant me the honour
of another 2200 lunches

While you pat yourself on the back
for taking them to McDonald's on Saturday afternoon.

Author's Note

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Very true logic in the poem. The dear mother make lunch for 12 years and the dad is the hero for the burger and fries. I agree. Thank you for sharing the entertaining poetry.
Coyote

[Lyn Anderson]

Sometimes it works the other way too, but either way the parent with the least skin in the game plays the hero.

[Coyote Poetry]

I'm the worst kind. I became the Grandfather who take kids to park and Mcdonald.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Such a beautiful way to show love for your children. I used to cut their sandwiches into heart shapes and write a joke or quiz on their napkins. None of my wives ever did the lunch boxes other than when I broke my arm playing rugby. As always you take a situation and describe it in such expressive terms.

[Lyn Anderson]

Isn't that just the way it is? Thank you for sharing, and yes, I agree, it's all those little things, not the grand artificial gestures that show love.

[Matching Socks]

Bless you girl... I want to hug you and tell you how proud I am of you.

[Lyn Anderson]

I am just doing what a mom should do.:)

[Matching Socks]

Yup. :)
xo

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is full of impact and truth...one day to McDonald's does not a parent make...it's all the other little things that add up to a treasure trove of parenthood...and what shows the real love and commitment.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you, yes, I know. It is hard to watch this, nod and smile, and keep a brave face on while I await the legal machinations that are out of my control.

[Bright Ocean Star]

K, some men don't realize what their missing until it threatens to be taken from them. He sounds like a man who a: either woke up a little too late or b: is a vindictive sob that just wants to use the kids as pawns in his bid to keep striking out at you. You are the only one who can possibly see through this and take a guess at what his motivations might be. What does the lawyer think? I'd guess that the judges have seen this a million times before, and they can see through to his past lack of involvement and question him openly on his plan for any future involvement. More prayers for you, my friend. This one is crystal clear and very powerful. Thank you for your honest, open heart and courageously written poems.

[Lyn Anderson]

If I thought for a second he had honestly changed I would gladly work with him on this. That is, unfortunately, not the case here.

[Bright Ocean Star]

.......:(...........(hugs).

[Rene Salinas]

Ugh! This made fell as if I had a piece of a carrot stuck on my throat. The scale of justice seem slightly uneven yet that right there is the incredible side of the writing. Although I absolutely sympathize with your point of view as it is/ was very similar to my own Mother, How is that pain and sense of unbalance fair with the fact the the Children need what they need...

There is no winning in this scene only the best for the Children I guess.

Very intense.

Thankyou

[Lyn Anderson]

Oh it isn't fair. It's never been fair, and that is kind of the point. Why does he get to fight for something he never had in the first place? He wasn't ever THERE. Now he gets a chance to flip things around, but not for the kids' benefit, just to fight me.

[Rene Salinas]

And that is probably true.... Sorry I focused on the children it is true what about you?

[Lyn Anderson]

That's just it. It is about the kids. They have never gotten from him. I sit on pins and needles waiting to see if he will "accept" my very reasonable and honest and fair offer, and he gets to decide whether to drag it on indefinitely.

[Rene Salinas]

I have just crossed over to your side unashamedly then. Jesus I'm easy. I don't get it then... Is it the law? Or some from of emotional bribery?

[willweb]

Grip 2x4 firmly and swing...KLGoode, another hard hitting, right in the mouth, piece from you. I liked it and I am happy you're not writing this about me. I'm more of a Burger King guy anyway.

[Lyn Anderson]

You know, I am all for sharing the load, except when it's never BEEN shared, why does he get to fight for that right now?

[willweb]

You've got me, I don't have any idea. Just another screwed up system I suppose.