Damage Control, A Poem

Inspired by true events this morning... 

Banana peel from her mouth, 

plucked from the compost bin. 

A crumpled check wrenched from her fist

a six-toothed little grin. 

She screams with anger, screams with joy

her face gets oh-so-red.

I feel so guilty from my relief

when she's tucked in her bed. 

A Christmas tin crushed in half

-- thought it a great place to stand. 

A banging on the glass -- I run --
a door lock in his hand. 

Spanking, yelling, crying, tears

how will I make it through? 

I know they say the years fly by, 

but right now, it's only noon. 

I'm not ungrateful, quite the opposite, 

I'm thankful for each child. 

But some days feel like DEFCON 3

they're loud, rambunctious, wild! 

So many things I want to accomplish

but I guess now's not the time. 

In a few years, perhaps, you'll see me again

in the meantime, more coffee, I'll be fine.