Six-foot-four walks through the door
In fatigues, fatigued
Fists tight, jaw clenched
Tears in eyes
Looks down on three-foot-ten
Counts to ten
One son, one of four
Plus a sister
Looks up to his father
Tears in eyes
Sorry he swung at a teacher
This son, one of four
Plus a sister
Angry, on the edge
Because dad went to war
Mom lost it, lost the kids
Four sons
Plus a sister
Then needed to be fostered
Dad came home
PTSD in his bags
No wife, no mother
For four sons
Plus one sister
Two sons
Plus one sister
Back with dad
No job, little income
Parenting experience near none
Another son, a toddler
Back home now
One father, four kids
Trying, struggling
Dads Group, therapy
Coping strategies
Visitations with the mother
Until this mother
Becomes another
No show
One father, four kids
The littlest son
Is yet to come
Fatigued father
Breathes now
Uncurls fists
And scoops up
His son
This one son
And hugs him
To his fatigued chest.
A String of Pearls 