The Unfit Parent

The Unfit Parent                                

third street apartment complex

knock on the door

man in a suit

I’m here for the kids.

The unfit parent.

single mother

three jobs

three children

never enough

dinner for three

family of four

one will go hungry

four wanting more

more for her children

more from her work

the unfit parent

fights through the hurt

The unfit parent

nothing to give

but love and support

a smile, a hug

life

devotion

I’m here for the kids.

You cannot provide,

you cannot supply

the life they need.

They’re underfed

they’re under-clothed

you can’t sustain children with love

you gave all you had and it wasn’t enough.

You are

The unfit parent.