53. Granted

It was just yesterday
you were a darling babe
in blue swaddling blankets,
who cried, yes,
but –
you were the sweetest,
littlest thing,
dearest.

What happened?
Everything now is,
“No, no, no!”
Everything is
uphill struggles, battles of
wills.

You are now a slightly larger
bundle of rebellion.
I hope I am raising you up well,
but it’s hard to tell:
I live with so much
guilt, dread, regret;
I must be screwing up.

Thank God
you are just my brother.
I hope your life
is easier than mine,
that you don’t endure
the things I
must.

But please, please, please
stop whining:
do your Goddamn
homework.