One Plus One Equals Half Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

One plus one equals half

Yes of course we are wrong
All of us
One and one is not two
It is half

Leaving home; Philippines
She came here
A live-in Care-taker; old and child
As a maid

When at home she had all
Child, husband
And mother; each working
On their farm

Ends could reach; food to eat
All behind, she alone
Three years she worked hard
Came husband

One and one must make two
Complete
But not such, child's left home
She is six

Parents work, each two shifts
An hour
They may meet on weekdays
And Sundays

(That's for church)

Grandma babysits grandchild
Here, there some money

Is this life; is this what a man wants?
Love and touch and caress?
Half is sure the outcome: "One and one".