10 Fingers and Toes
How can a parent claim that the most important thing,
is that their newborn has
10 fingers and toes,
when 10 years later,
those fingers can't play piano well enough,
and those toes can't run fast enough?
At what point in a child's life do the qualities of
health and happiness
stop being important?
When do parents become so concerned with
achievements and successes,
and less concerned with
the blood pounding through their child's veins,
or the smile on their face?
Why do
grades on report cards
matter more than
scars on wrists?
Who, as a parent,
will be proud enough to say
"my child is failing math,
but at least they have
10 fingers and toes."