my neighbors’ kids are home alone
the sweet one’s 5 the angel’s 3
i scolded them for opening the door
to strangers as strange as me

and as i walked across the street
to my dilapidated abode
a tiny thought entered my mind
which incessantly does goad

the scum of the earth worst parents
who beat their kids and scream
can still wind up with the best kids
while of kids i may only dream

so maybe if i weren’t such a nice guy
and merited no self-dignity
i might have great offspring
and therein lays the irony