Carefully weigh
I was observing our cat, and feeling terribly concerned,
Thus, from my view out the window, I towards the back door turned.
I then made my way up the drive, still eyeing our strolling cat,
Who another cat had spied, that across the road from us, sat.
Our road’s a busy road, hence the concern that I was feeling,
As an injured cat and ensuing vet fees weren’t appealing.
And neither was the thought of cars screeching or swerving to miss
A cat whose wee mind was preoccupied with romantic bliss.
Thus, as our cat strolled even closer to the edge of the road,
I more quickly, and a lot more anxiously, towards him strode.
Yes, I should have held back somewhat, and called somewhat softly too,
But fear and uncertainty tend to have one things overdo.
As I drew nearer, he turned to look at me, and then bolted,
When given a car was coming, he clearly should have halted.
Well, cats have nine lives, they say, and one life was up for the take,
For just in time, the driver of that car was able to brake.
Thus, our cat survived another day — only just, I might add,
Which had me sigh with relief — and naturally, feeling glad.
But it all left me thinking, and my thoughts I will share with you,
For there’s a chance that you might also benefit from this too.
Our cat might have stopped before he actually reached the road,
And may've just sat observing — crossed later, in safer mode.
Perhaps I spurred him somehow, adding to the problem somewhat,
And due to over concern, the worst case scenario got.
Sometimes as parents we need to hold back, despite what we see,
Lest the very thing we fear, we help cause inadvertently.
Harping on, and undue interference, can worsen, propel,
Whereas, rope that's wisely held — fed here and there — dissent can quell.
We can’t wrap our children in safety cocoons, and nor should we,
And yes, the worst may happen, but that’s life, unfortunately.
Children are children, and despite sound advice, such may ignore,
And if they’re a certain age, there’s little you can do, what’s more.
If you’ve done your duty, and set an example, you’ve done well,
As you can only tell them, show them — so forget the hard sell.
Yes, up to a certain age they’re to do your bidding, but take care,
Lest once past it, they spurn what you’ve said, filling you with despair.
By all means advise them, and restrict where it’s right and proper,
But don’t cross that line, otherwise you may soon come a cropper.
And remember our cat, and how it bolted into harm’s way,
When if I'd held back, it might not have — yes, let’s carefully weigh.
By Lance Landall
A Father's Lot
Because fathers are effectively the family policeman, given that the buck stops with them, and rightly so too,
Their children can often see them in a far less favourable light than they otherwise might, and so often do.
However, where the father is keeping law and order correctly, there’s a much greater sense of security,
And also harmony too, and hence why a father should do what he's meant to do, despite any acrimony.
Yes, a father’s lot is far from easy, for what children may get away with with their mum, (not that any should do),
They certainly shouldn’t get away with when it comes to their dad, for with him, discipline should never go askew.
For after all, someone has to deal out those tougher measures, and such is what a father — a man — is called to do,
Given that such is more the natural domain of masculinity, of which women will often appeal to.
And not just seeking some brawn at times, but that manly authority — such meaning, his protector territory,
For it’s hardly the wife who repels any intruder, and nor should it be — that is, if we’re thinking sensibly.
Hence why every home — alias family — needs a caring dad, for where there’s no dad, there’s far less law and order,
For here, women weren’t designed to play a policing role, and nor to wield an axe, bow or sword — their shoulders less broad.
Sure some have tried to, or are needing to where renegade dads are absent, but such is not how things are meant to be,
And such comes a very poor second to the real thing, just the same as dads don’t make as good a mums, undoubtedly.
Yes, we’re talking reality, and the reason why dads bear the brunt of such a role — an unenviable one,
For at the end of the day, how many applaud policemen? — and why their children’s affection is often hard won.
By Lance Landall
