Little Nell

A small whine in my ear. “Let me see. What have we here?” A new little monster with a pinched red face; Whose caterwauls usurped my place? “I wish. I wish.” I’d opened wide, My fledgling arms, let go my pride. My favorite dresses, my new toy, My Daddies lap, my mothers joy; Curly blonde bundle so unlike me; Everything mine was given to she. “I wish. I wish.” I’d opened wide, My fledgling arms, let go my pride. “Sweet little villain or Little Nell?” “Who was the monster?” Only God can tell. So long it took for love to grow, Between the monsters and their egos. “I wish. I wish.” I’d opened wide, My fledgling arms, let go my pride. So long you snuggled at my side, Looked up to me let meanness slide. So long we suffered, women we; In a masculine shadow, a manly lea. “I wish. I wish.” I’d opened wide, My fledgling arms, let go my pride. And monsters two linked arms and hands, Against the villainous male we’d stand. Against that new pinched-faced wail, The long awaited hierarchical male. “I wish. I wish.” I’d opened wide, My fledgling arms, let go my pride. He took the toys, the time, the horsy rides. He took our parents from our side. And yet, as time and tide did pass; We three did come to see at last. “I wish. I wish.” I’d opened wide, My fledgling arms, let go my pride. To wish, to wish and open wide; To let go the anger, let go the pride. To know each monster has it day, And every child a price to pay. And so each parent’s task is vast; To create a family that will last.