They live in separate houses

One has a faux fireplace

A little one tries to make himself feel more

When all around him he feels less

With frowns inside and a tough outside

He may cry when he sees legos at Mom’s

He may cry when he sees his pillow at Dad’s

Little one will be quick with wit and slow at

Self esteem

Invisible. Heavy. Dropping low

Like a grey sky.

Mom does this

And Dad does that

Maybe the little one will begin to understand it

When he’s 37.