The Grape Grabber

The following poem is inspired by a moment at the dinner table tonight, after Bug had said she was finished eating, when Momma ate one of the two grapes left in her bowl. It was one of those moments that a parent immediately wishes she could take back, a moment of truth for the child: parents are not infallible; parents will disappoint; parents are not perfect. Yes, this truth I saw in the sad eyes, slunk shoulders, and "Mommy, why did you do that? Why you grab my grape? That was MY grape."

Mommy, don't you grab my grape
It makes me so upset.
I'll get real sad, my shoulders I'll sag,
And I will really fret.

Mommy, don't you grab my grape
Even if I'm "finished."
If you take what's mine, you will find
My faith in you diminished.

Mommy, don't you grab my grape
Then laugh until you cry
When you see my antipathy,
And when I ask you why.