parenting

do not buy a bird, with  cage and toys to play

one open window and it will fly away

do not buy a dog that looks at you with dopey eyes

it will break your heart when it dies 

do not buy a kitten that chews your earrings on a date 

you won't be able to keep it from slipping through the gate

above all, do not love. 

to love is to lose sleep and 

do battle everyday, 

with our worries, fears and own expectations

 

to love is to dig ourselves 

into a quagmire 

howling with despair

to love is to be alone

with only memories 

of all who have now since 

flown away, died, slipped through the gate. 

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do not buy fish that swim in tiny circles 

they will die before they know their name