How thin the line between respect and fear
A line too thin for little boys to see
They look the same beneath the bully tree
If pain's involved, it's rarely ever clear
Some dads use fear to teach their sons respect
But we have learned that doesn't always work
On some occasions, some may go berserk
With most, that fear, they simply redirect
But as the years went by we understood
Imaginary lines are in the mind
Fear is a forced response, respect is earned
My children learned respect... as children should,
I did not have to paddle their behind
Respect they gave, was lovingly returned.
Daniel Turner