I sometimes wonder how it would have been
if I had had a mother like I am,
if needs had been expressed and met, begin-
ning early, never hearing “Can it! Scram.”
And now I watch my adult son, and know
his father was a negligent abuser.
But he’s paternal-excellent, although
that post-divorce male model was a loser.

And maybe it’s the luck of childhood
to have a single parent competent.
Of course a mated couple would be best,
but one may be sufficient, able, good.
Of all my teachers, two were excellent.
Expecting more may be a vain request.