Love's Parameters

I watched a young mother slapping her child Unmercifully in his face today And wanted to return the favor Equally, in a like-wise manner. I’ve no earthly idea what the child must have done To find himself the recipient of this unnecessary abuse And was enraged at his predicament While watching helplessly. I contrasted this picture With other scenes I’ve witnessed Whereby other mothers permit their children The most unruly and inappropriate behavior imaginable. The difference between extremes of abusive behavior And an appropriate amount of gentle, loving persuasion Which every child needs and craves Is a matter of degree. In all life’s fecundities a balance must be sought, Attempted to be achieved To create the ideal coalescence In the universe that leads To peace, harmony and equanimity. Parents need not be maltreating Their children as if lesser human beings Nor allowing them unmitigated freedom Void of boundaries or limitations. Life is all about learning How far we can go And the wise teacher is one Who teaches we are all arrows In potential or released From the confines of a bow… Human limits Are meant to be stretched, expanded While love provides the parameters Between feeling comfortably at home And lost or stranded.