6 Eyes

You’ll have to forgive me for what follows here

I’ve got 3 children under age 6 so

I hope you can get it

Eight hours of sleep is a magical land filled with fairies that poop synchronized rainbows

It’s very esoteric

And whatever I spit onto a page ends up a little less polished

Than I know that I can get it 

But finding some perfect linguistic tether may be better served

By something a little more raw

Than perfectly strung together 

So…

I’m looking into these 6 eyes – 2 brown, 2 blue, and

2 barely separated from the womb

If I’m honest it’s overwhelming looking at these pupils 

What sometimes works with one,

To the others seems futile

Articulate wisdom seems hard to bequeath 

When I can barely get myself dressed or brush my teeth 

It’s just that…and you might think this is stupid

But I’m tired of being covered with their bodily fluids 

Whenever my washing machine’s cycle is churning 

It’s drool, blood, or puke but predominantly urine 

Look.

I know that my time with them will go fast 

I just want them to be whole – that’s with a “W H” 

As opposed to the one that’s preceded by “ass”

To the young parents out there – I see you 

I see you having cereal and milk for dinner

Brushing your teeth with hand lotion

Being a winner  

Going on random drives when you just can’t hack it 

Because car-seat constraints work like child straight jackets

Makes sense – I espouse it

Especially since their fingers seem to track

Toward the sharpest objects in the house it…

Don’t make sense

Slinging profanities scrubbing drywall

That can’t defend itself against 

These 6 eyes

Freakin kids music blowing up my Spotify 

I’m not gonna lie – let’s just own this together for a quick minute….

We’re tired

We need to ask for help

We’re changing so many diapers 

Might as well be wearing them ourselves

We gotta pay attention to what’s feeding our minds 

I promise you all those 

Social media parents posting their picturesqueness

Aren’t as perfect offline

Let’s give ourselves some kindness, some acceptance, some grace

And try to find some humor in the challenges we face

Perfection is not a goal, it’s a detrimental trap

Healthy parents are messy parents

I hope you can feel that

Of course the journey is wonderful too 

I’ll discuss that stuff sometime soon

Right now I’m just not in the mood

Today what I will offer though are 6 I’s of my own

1. I will try to not implode
2. I will love you when I don’t like you 
3. And I will be a safe place for you to grow
4. I’ll be honest and warm as opposed to frustrated and cold
5. I’ll never leave you
6. And I’ll never lose hope 

That you all will be who you are meant to be

And I’m grateful for the small part reserved in that for me 

And someday if you are spent –

Holding baby hands and feet 

When I see YOU sprayed in excrement

My journey will be complete