Plight of the Single Mama
Originally, I wrote this poem for the "single mama" who carries such an immense burden. But so do many mamas - single or not. So this is for each one who doesn't feel like being a superhero.
Plight of the Single Mama
Day breaks with an overflowing
Clanking, clattering kitchen mess
Piled up from the night before
Coffee brews, children rise
Seven dollars for his field trip
Fresh socks for her dance class
Which you forgot yesterday
And be on time for God's sake
Which you haven't been in three days
And fix the broken smartwatch
Which abruptly stopped working
"Is my son ok?" Did he make it?"
A little less superhero please
Not so much strong
Can Bobby sleep over Friday
This wart won't go away
If she's really my friend
Why does she laugh at me
Answer the calls, cool the fevers
Make the appointments, cut the hair
Buy the clothes, plan the parties
Mend the aching, breaking hearts
Oh and while you're at it
Please make yourself presentable
You too need a haircut A little less superhero please Not so much strong Find new clients, bring home the bacon Invest whatever might be left Invest? Who knows how to do that The sink is backed up, call a plumber Why did you miss my soccer game Can you chaperone the field trip Unnamed friend's mother did it twice You have 14 new voice messages People still leave voice messages And clean up the damn kitchen It can't bear a house guest Not even unassuming sleepover kid A little less superhero please Not so much strong Will it be toast or frozen pizza? Yes, again. Yes, that's it. Bathe the bodies, wash the clothes Pile up more kitchen refuse I said, BRUSH YOUR TEETH! How can we be out of toothpaste I'm sorry I yelled. I didn't mean to Read a bedtime story, just not that one Tell me all about your day I love you, I love you, I love you Right, then why am I crying I guess because its OK to cry Sometimes even superheroes cry But a little less please... Just not so much... Tomorrow another day breaks Another kitchen mess beckons But keep those shoulders high Scrape out time for self care If you're lucky, there's a grandma No need for public handouts Brave mama, you got this Go climb the mountain, carry the boulder Walk on water, raise the dead Cure cancer, erase the pay gap And do it all with a new haircut Because that's just who you are Mama, you're a goddamn superhero