The Crying Game – a poem about parenting

Each fat tear broke her,
And brought on her own,
Though she knew
These were purposeful,
Brought on for show.
These tears that were willed there,
Did their job too well,
As she felt her poor anguished
Maternal heart swell.
She knew if she gave in
To tear stained appeals
That she’d suffer them daily
But they still made her feel
Hopeless and hapless;
She nearly gave in,
But she knew that the crying game
Was one she must win.