Sanctuary

I am seven playing
With my friend near
My house walking to
Sanctuary on Jackson
Street where my family
Offers me safety from the
World but when we get to my
House our two mothers seem to
Be miffed at us as we are covered
In mud and pitch ordered to strip
Off our clothes as our mother’s
Hose us each down and my
Two elder sisters laugh at
Our predicament eager
To bring our Moms
Brillo pads to rub
Off pitch tar to
Our walls of
Pain until
Even my
Sisters
Wince
So sanctuary
Is a two-edged
Sword as conformity
Is a basic requirement.
Still, the benefits far out
Weigh the compliance bits,
Years later as a teen my
Mother tells us we will
Miss her when she is
Gone which my sibs
And I much doubt
But she was all
Too right and
I wonder if
My sibs
And I
Were
More of
A burden
Than she could
Bear but she did
Say she should have
Stopped at three kids so
If your Mom who was your
Sanctuary gives you a pensive
Look just say thanks Mom
Give her a hug and be
Grateful you still can
Have a chance to
Show her some
Appreciation,
A quality she
Normally
Would
Find
Only
In a
Pet.