Man of the House

I hear my young son say

Since his father has gone away

And when I reprove him

For actions during the day

He turns to me in surprise

And I hear him say

"Why mother didn't you know

The man of the house does it just so?"

It is hard to punish this son of mine

Who feels he must be a man

Before it is time

And when we go out to dinner or a show

He puts the money in his pocket before we go

And if I forget I hear him say

"You know mother, the man of the house

Always should pay the way"

And last year when Fathers Day rolled around

A man of the house present had been found

It makes me weep way down inside

For the man of the house with his full grown pride

(In memory of my Grandma Chilcoat and Uncle Bob)