Petulant

Back when our hearts had curfews
We’d catch them sneaking in,
Tell them to be careful out late wandering.
It’s no use.
They must bruise to grow their arteries,

Must come home shattered
[WeepingGaspingShaking]
As we nurse them back to full capacity;
Praying that they will land on their feet,
Whether or not it
Sucks the last air from me –

And you, my first co-parent,
We watched from park bench grandstands
As the children fraternised:
Pushed each other in the sandpit
Helped each other up the slide.

You and I glanced over hopelessly,
Caught in a proxy war
With our two rabid beasts
Tearing us apart
And bandaging our grief.