SINGLE PARENT FAMILY

She snapped on
earrings

quickly in a hurry now

applied a little more lippy

stopped to adjust a bra
strap that
was biting her left shoulder

got the seams of her stockings straight

just right

fumbled inside her blouse
corrected a straying breast

not a hair
out of place

just in time

for the bus

someone offered to give their seat up

(and then            suddenly declined) 

all the other mums
smiling

admiring her clothes

admiring her style.

Her kid runs to her
screaming with delight:

“Daddy...Daddy...Daddy! ”

She smiles.

Her Adam’s apple bobs up ‘n’ down.

Make up can’t really hide
that tell-tale five o’clock shadow.

Other kids don’t bat an eyelid
accept it for what it is.

The general consensus being:

“I think it’s cool that
your Mummy’s a Daddy

& he looks better
in his clothes

than my  Mum does in hers!

You’re so lucky!

I wish   I had a
Daddy-Mummy! ”