Cause I got your text

Seems you might need a hug

And a minute to vent

 

So you spent one more night

Trying to find the words

To explain that joint parenting

Means joint work

That what he can’t pay for

Can be supplemented with time

Especially since you’re working

And studying at night

 

He seems to believe

That you are well paid

Even though you are overqualified

For a job that you hate

But you stay cause you have to

And your boss knows that well

But her singing your praises

Is not pay your bills

 

And you’re tired I know

Because you tell me so

From the bullshit at work

To the bullshit at home

Cause he said he was coming

But then something came up

You finally made plans

But now you are stuck

 

He says they can visit

Now that he’s moved away

As long as you pay for

Plane tickets each way

Now he’s taking you to court

Because he has not seen them

But has not paid any child support

Since you left him

 

You are buying the school clothes

Supplies and new shoes

Paying for aftercare

Shopping for good schools

There’s soccer, dance class

And pediatric care

Dropping off, picking-up

Brushing their hair

Managing the five emotions

they have in five minutes

Begging for bathroom privacy

until you are finished

 

All this seems to happen

In a matter of weeks

You are wanting to scream

You can barely speak

 

So just bring them over

You need some time

To breath, do yoga,

Sleep and unwind,

Have sex if you want to

Do nothing at all

They can hang with their auntie

I was waiting for your call

And here is some money

For that overdue bill

Some tickets to a play

A container with a meal

Don’t fight me just take it

You deserve a full day

To get yourself centered

To just get away

And when you return

Feeling rested and loved

You’ll get your child, a small bag of dirty clothes

And that hug.