she gave them life and love,
she gave them sustenance and shelter.

and they,
in return,
scribbled on the walls of her home
in permanent marker.

they in return,
discarded their toys in every room,
never to be remembered.

they in return,
spilt red paint on the white carpeting,
only to say oops.

so she hurried to rescue the home,
the home that had been so peaceful before they could walk,

she painted the walls,
she picked up the toys,
she scrubbed the floors.

but then the toddlers did it again,
and again,
and again.

the mother finally collapsed into a chair,
exhausted and dismayed.

if only they would learn, she thought
that they were not the only ones who lived in this home