Full-Time Dads;
The E-Magazine for Caregiver Fathers
Issue 2, originally appeared in print - June 1991
I watched the relay races today,
First grade recess
Filled with teachers' whistles and students' squeals,
with shouts and seeming delight.
The winning team screamed and jumped,
Gave high-fives and hand slaps just like on T.V.
One winner clenched his fists and put on a game face,
Almost grim, Will Clark in the series
Giving high-fists and raising arms in triumph.
The other team slowly walked away;
And I thought, this really is the beginning.
Surely, surety there ts a better way.
How can there be losers in children's play?
Copyright 199I Mat Zwerling
Sparky the Seal
Is performing
his afternoon show.
The sounds of children
laughing and clapping
fill the arena.
Sparky's intense bark
invades
my peaceful sleep.
My dream stops.
I realize that the seal bark is not Sparky
but my terrifed daughter
fighting to breathe.
CROUP!
reflexes take over.
No time to dream.
No time to think.
Exit the bedroom.
Get the baby.
Enter the bathroom.
Shut the door.
Hot water on full throttle.
Steam up the room.
Put my hand on her head.
No fever, thank God.
Hold her body over the steam.
Let her breathe.
The steam works, her body relaxes.
Her eyes close.
She drifts back to sleep.
Let her breathe the steam
For another minute
For good measure.
Put her back in the crib
Good job, Dad.
Now get some rest.
Bock to dreams.
Copyright 1991 Doug Everhart
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