A parent's burden

I feel the pain of my children

sensing the stress in their voice

they are flesh of my flesh

with their joy I rejoice

knowing the turmoil in their demeanor

I tense with their fears

blood of my blood

I cry their tears

I sense impending strife

The terror of their bed

where their nightmares of life

echos in my head

I quake with troubles they encounter

I cringe with their unvoiced shouts

I'm saddened with their failures

I tremble with their doubts

I cry when their needs go unmet

Their turmoil I retain

I sweat their sweat

though broken from me, they still remain

I can not divorce them

I can see what they can not see

Their feelings are mine

although they reject me