wrinkled forehead and a passing sigh
the boy has given her reason for irritation
I watch the unfolding scene, helpless
everyone knows what it takes to get along
but the young free-loading adult
has yet to apply knowledge practically
so once again we find ourselves
bound by hostile energy
as raised voices and flailing extremities
become the new after work norm –
a soft kiss and passing pleasantries
are exchanged between us
prior to a kitchen visit
and bad feelings towards laziness
for its own sake…
his attitude and effort lacking
our anger and discontent growing
all the while I quietly pray
he gets it while we can still be friends –
another trip down the driveway
another day with a growing sense of dread
am I going to have to yell again
beg again
cry again
over what should be common practice
and not the fight that will have him homeless –
we sit on the bed discussing options
as we are unwilling to simply give up
blood ties and strong family bonds
mingle with tears of frustration
as we ask the question to the universe
for the umpteenth time,
“what can we try next?”
to get a 19 year old know-it-all
lazy ***
to be part of a functioning household
or at the very least
pay his own way –