Loving Parents

Loving Parents

I listened to my parents arguing,

She shouted, Go, I want you to get out.

He never said a word,

He left without a jacket

Into the pouring rain.

I flung the door wide open,

Ran after him down the street.

He picked me up into his arms,

Saying, Hey, you’re going to cut yourself

Running in bare feet.

He turned and took me back home,

Both of us soaking wet.

Mother stood there crying,

She had said things she now regrets.

Dad said, Take the child upstairs,

She needs a nice warm bath.

Mother looked and took me,

Now she was crying too.

Dad made hot chocolate for three,

Warm cups in our hands,

And they promised

At least not to shout again,

Not in front of me.

I never heard them fight again,

Well, they didn’t when I was there at all.

That day in the pouring rain

Was a promise made to me,

When I was small.

The promise lasted till they died,

They ended up the best parents,

Whose arms to me

We’re always open wide.