Single Parent Family Poem by Dónall Dempsey

She snapped on
earrings
quickly in a hurry now
applied a little more lippy

stopped to adjust a bra
strap that
was biting her left shoulder
got the seams of her stockings straight
just right

fumbled inside her blouse
corrected a straying breast
not a hair
out of place
just in time
for the bus

someone offered to give their seat up
(and then suddenly declined)
all the other mums
smiling
admiring her clothes
admiring her style.
Her kid runs to her
screaming with delight:

“Daddy...Daddy...Daddy! ”
She smiles.
Her Adam’s apple bobs up ‘n’ down.
Make up can’t really hide
that tell-tale five o’clock shadow.

Other kids don’t bat an eyelid
accept it for what it is.
The general consensus being:
“I think it’s cool that
your Mummy’s a Daddy

& he looks better
in his clothes
than my Mum does in hers!
You’re so lucky!
I wish I had a
Daddy-Mummy! ”