Confrontation

Mornings Before School

Little girls respond with

the delayed look,

slowly, 

over their shoulder

and up

right into your eyes

with a hint of

disdain.

Boys begin with 

muscle tension,

the trace of a 

head shake

and

direct refusal

followed 

by a plea

for mercy 

or 

reason

to prevail.

In the end

both relent

but

there is no surrender

only

impatient delay.

©Herb Ratliff, August 14, 2012, All Rights Reserved