their eyes

My father stomped and shouted

My mother smoked in silence

My father read newspapers

My mother read women's faces

My father loved a good debate

My mother loved a good novel

My parents had gentle eyes

My mother did the laundry 

My father took us to movies

My mother felt disappointed

My father felt defeated

My mother was tiny

My father was large

My parents had gentle eyes

My father remembered facts

My mother remembered feelings

My father needed her love

My mother needed his strength

My father bought potato chips

My mother bought fresh fruit

My parents had gentle eyes

My mother sought counseling

My father sought Catholicism

My mother asked for a divorce

My father asked for a second chance

My mother never called him anything

My father called her fruitcake

My parents had gentle eyes 

My father blamed

My mother let go

My father set his dreams aside

My mother met her goals

My father held anger 

My mother held forgiveness

My parents had gentle eyes

I am my mother's child

I am my father's child

I hope I have their eyes