A Parent Poem by Randy McClave

When you become a parent
You will then understand,
Why your parents raised their voices
And sometimes raised their hand.
They told you to put on your shoes
Whenever you went out to play,
They made sure that you went to church
And taught you why you should always pray.
You never truly did without
Though you complained and cried with woe,
But, since you now are a parent
You now understand the many times your parents said, "No".
Your shirt was to tight, or your was pants were to low
Or your skirt it was way to short,
You now understand the thoughts behind those statements
And remember, a parents love will never abort.
You remember the times that you stormed off to your room
When a party your parents did deny,
And when they gave you a very strict curfew
You will now remember it was your parents, who did cry.
You'll remember the dinners that you had enjoyed
But, now they all have passed,
How you ate and ate until you couldn't eat no more
And now you know why your parents always ate last.
You can recall your parents strong and stern voices
And the many times their shoulders they did shrug,
And how you said or thought that you really hated them
Still your parents, always wanted one more hug.
Now when you set down with your child
In your mind, your past will finally become apparent,
You now understand why the way you were raised
As you now are a parent.

Randy L. McClave