[ consider, for a second, your children ]

Everything I know about parenting I have learned from watching my parents.
We go through life wondering why our kids don't turn out the way we want them to. We conveniently forget that they are painful and honest reminders of ourselves. Why doesn't my son get better grades? Why is my daughter a rebellious slut? Why are they impulsive, angry, abusive, why don't they like us?
Have you looked at yourself lately?
After beating and abusing your kids, comparing them to other kids, fighting like animals with your spouse... you expect your children to be loving and caring individuals? After consistently showing them how to sell yourself short, how to lie, cheat and steal, you expect them to be honest with you?
I'm not saying we were failures. I'm not saying we weren't loving parents, hardworking, considerate... we did the best we could. We did what we thought was right. We struggled to get by in a world that didn't always make sense.
And our children do too. So if we've been less than perfect, lets give them a fucking break, eh?

[ distance ]

as i fell asleep last night
i've already replied to your words, with mine
i ever ignored your restlessness:
these miles have gone on, and on.

i wonder, myself, what it was i went through
what very little about your story i knew
we need, in love, to practice
(only words):
these miles have gone on, and on.

love us like this, or don't
i've nothing to apologize for, perhaps you won't
there is a red origami crane on my bedside table
and your voice lingers.

perhaps its safer in madness, i fear
this time, when you fold your things
another year:
this time, i miss you
and i wish i knew why.
or where it ends.
these miles have gone on, and on.