Some moments the wise part of me
Hovers gently outside my body and observes
Me being a dad cliché, running limpily
To wave down the struggle bus. Nerves
Inflamed and awaiting the slightest brush to claim
“Irritant!”, I am the very model
Of a modern rager. Generally, I aim
To go slow, and I expertly coddle
My hubris saying, “Look at what a Zen
Boy you are.” Then my two-year-old
Does something exactly like me, and again,
I hear my mouth spout–an unvalved scold.
My words become my boys’ inside voice.
Please let my speech sing the loving choice.
