when they don't leave the nest

in looking back

over the thirty-five years

we often wonder,

did we give

the kid

too much. of course we did.

on top of

all that adoration

and love, we

we were making

up for

all the things we never

got as children. stuff.

did he get

toys, good lord, yes.

clothes and books,

every treat under the sun,

playing every sport,

musical instruments.

every day was Christmas.

did he have a pony,

a bike,

a car.

was tuition paid

for?

cameras and phones.

vacations

and rents paid for.

did we give him too much?

of course we did.

and now we hope

that one day he'll leave

the nest

we feathered for him,

and get a job.