First Friday Poetry: May 1, 2026

I'm joining Beverly A Baird & Linda Schueler in another year long poetry practice. On the first Friday of each month we, and anyone else who joins, write a poem and share it.

This year, Bev and Linda have organized themes for each month. This month's theme is parenting.

I spent last month pondering mothers, fathers, and parenting. Then when I sat down to write, this poem came to mind. Click on the link to read it all.


This Be The Verse

by Philip Larkin

They fuck you up, your mum and dad.   

    They may not mean to, but they do.   

They fill you with the faults they had

    And add some extra, just for you.

This isn't the first time I've written about my family, and I suspect it won't be the last. Even though I spent years in therapy, each time is hard. Each time opens wounds I thought were healed. Each time brings me new insights. 

Mom and Dad in the before time.

Survivors

they fell in love,
they got married,
they dreamt
of building a better life
for themselves,
for their family.

like all couples,
they struggled,
they argued,
they hurt each other.

they were ill equipped
when faced with
the unforgiving circumstance
of my father’s irreparably
broken body.

he didn’t 

(no one really does)

handle it well,
with limited financial,
and nonexistent
social and emotional support.

his grief, rage, and anger
nearly consumed him,
nearly destroyed her.

few other couples survive
this kind of tragedy,

but they did.

they loved their five children,
they did the best they could,
it wasn’t nearly enough,

the scars are deep