Fatherhood by Annika Carlson

I always hear pity

for the boys without fathers.

“There’s nothing worse

for a boy than no man”.

My father is patient.

He taught me math.

My father is tender.

He hugs me a lot.

What about pity

For the boys without mothers.

“How wonderful that he’s raising

the child on his own.”

My mother was warm.

I remember her touch.

My mother was gentle.

That’s all that I have.

Now I busy myself

with children of my own.

They’ve got a father,

patient and tender.

They’ve got a mother.

They know more than

a memory

of her touch.