Parents

I wish there wasn’t a father’s day

Or mothers day either.  People talk
about their parent, now passed away--
oh, how great he was, how much they gave,
what a loving mother she is. This brings
a sadness I can’t locate.  A longing.

I get lost in my thoughts, left out,

but I tire quickly of my self-indulgence.
I follow my thoughts to my reality.
I think what a good dad
my kids had and have. How I believe
I was a good mom, certainly
no one could try harder than we two.

When I celebrate , I applaud my husband

and what he gave our kids,
what he gives them today.
I think about what is important for us,
that we did the best we could,
that thought often leads me to this:

maybe they did, too.