Poet’s Showcase
Acting Like a Parent
I was the father,
for real, but playing the role
with no rehearsal, my
lines unmemorized:
improvising disciplines,
projecting sourceless wisdom,
and scattering assurances
from near-empty pockets.
I suspect the youngsters often
saw another child impersonating
“Dad,”
but they accepted my naivete
and allowed the pseudo expertise.
Children often seem
to understand:
their parents each
have parts to play,
and so do they.