if you must love her
(and you must) because
all of her is worth the non-trouble
but the most-work--
then openly confront the
child that throws fits, when
she sits in front of the house
stewing, kneel and ask--
that is all anyone ever need
do; ask.
or say nothing when she
cries in church, touch shoulders
and keep singing, a low voice
undulating with her father's
if you must love her,
and you know you must,
you have been called out
from all your temporaries
and sort-ofs, nothing ever
remotely permanent
because you must
you must.
Jul 16, 2017
Jul 16, 2017 at 7:12 PM UTC
if you must love her
(and you must) because
all of her is worth the non-trouble
but the most-work--
then openly confront the
child that throws fits, when
she sits in front of the house
stewing, kneel and ask--
that is all anyone ever need
do; ask.
or say nothing when she
cries in church, touch shoulders
and keep singing, a low voice
undulating with her father's
if you must love her,
and you know you must,
you have been called out
from all your temporaries
and sort-ofs, nothing ever
remotely permanent
because you must
you must.
(c) Brooke Otto 2017
