an unrehearsed universe

Parenthood

An after-party
how lovely
at a local restaurant you say
oh what a shame!
we will not be able to make it
the children you see
a babysitter?
do you remember honey
what happened the last time
we tried that
if it were not so alarming
it would be funny
thank you for the invitation
we could not possibly
the children you see
oh nothing like that
we would give them away
I am sure
but who would take them?
they cannot be left unsupervised
more than twenty three minutes
at a time
or they get into serious trouble
oddly specific is it not?
please believe that is not
a number we came up with
ourselves
it sounds like our older son
who is a prodigy you know
a real whiz
with the math
he claims they get bored
very easily
because it is hard being
too smart
for their own good
that they are scientists
upending the world in order to
understand it
we have tried explaining
that exploring and exploding are
two different words
but
then he got so mad
I know honey
I am rattling on about things
no one needs to hear
it is just
so nice sometimes to talk
to another adult you know one that might
understand even a little bit but
yes you are right
we should get going
at any rate thank you again
this was lovely
we should do this again sometime
oh excuse me please
put that down sweetie
you will hurt some-