single parents

this is for all you
single mothers
and single fathers
and the avenues you have to negotiate
when you fall in love
with someone wonderful
who is not a parent

there are times
when you need
to patiently school them
that you love your
one or two or three or four
school age children very much
but differently
that your kids are not
competing with your partner
for exclusive possession of your heart

there are times
when you need to stifle
the urge to wring the neck
of your lover
who does not understand
why you are cancelling that
hot valentine date
because your baby sitter
pulled a shocker on you
fifteen minutes ago

there are times
when you have to explain
for the twenty- fifth time
that your kids are ok
they do not a surrogate parent
to replace the one who is not present

there are times
when you toy
seriously with
cranking out a conception plan
which may provide some clues
to your "child-free" companion
the details of moonlighting
as a parent and a partner

to all you single mothers and fathers
kudos to you for
juggling work,
kids
and topsy turvy love lives...