theirs

October 27, 2007  (I was 62)

                  theirs

Other peoples’ children praise the Lord

with no sense of his humility

pass judgment knowing they are judged favorably

Other people’s children have body piercings

They wear hindrances through every sensory organ

and cut-away clothes to expose their tats

Other people’s children withhold their opinions

Their restrained considerations

Produce an impeccable silence

Other people’s children know the value of art

is determined in the auction house

The true critic is counted currency

Other people’s children realize introspection

creates the illusionary devil of self-doubt

and can lead to self-denial

No child of mine was ever like this

because other people are the parents

of other people’s children