MR., WHY NO CHILDREN “Mr., why no children” is a question that I’m often asked And sometimes I take the time to think about it, and put my mid to task And really ponder on my situation in my mental space, time and distance To consider why I’m childless during this time of my existence I deal with children every day and have been doing so since I’ve been grown But the gist of the question being asked is if I have any children of my own And if not, why not … and why have I let time get away And if not now, when … and would I want children one day Though one second bleeds into the next and time marches on I not in the twilight of my years, though I am past the dawn I’m more into the midday if you will, just right after noon In sync with the rhythm of life and on key like a piano, in tune Time and opportunity just haven’t intersected for this reality to come to bare For me to be blessed with such a gift of God and such a product of prayer To be responsible for something as priceless as a life on me would surely grow For right now fatherhood is a notion, and its joys are for others to know “Mr., why no children” somehow becomes a topic of conversation A question posed by the curious, seeking answers to this complicit interrogation As I’m looked at as something of an enigma, misread and misunderstood Interrogative murmurings questioning as to why I haven’t experienced fatherhood It’s the picking of my brain to see where exactly I stand on the issue of having a child Do I think it’s a noble undertaking or are kids just too wild Do I see little ones as in the song ‘Silent Night’ … tender and mild Or do I see them as opportunist, befriending people, leaving them to be beguiled They seem surprised to know that I relate to children very well That as my practice and my vocation, I read children so their moods, I can tell What state of mind they’re in … in what directions do they see Whether or not to engage them in conversation … or to just let them be I do see children as a gift from God, works in progress that try and test A precious gift of which I haven’t – at this time – been joyfully blessed Whether it’s now or never … God knows the time and the hour Whether or not I’ll be blessed with such a gift … it’s in Gods hand and power “Mr., why no children” are amongst the questions that are varied And the question after “why no children” is “why aren’t you married” Some question whether or not my ‘game’ is on call While others question whether or not I like women at all I’m selective – albeit discriminating – regarding the women with whom I consort I watch out for women with iffy reputations and are of a questionable report Those who tend to always be on the wrong side of legislature And particularly those women who aren’t virtuous, but vicious by nature And the women worth having have eternal salvation as part of their plan But they’re so in love with Jesus they’re not thinking about a man At least that’s what they say when the topics of relationships come about And the topic of marriage is almost laughable … so with such I can do without With people out for themselves, all people want to do is to flirt And for those who aren’t a part of that crowd are so afraid of being hurt That they’re not willing to give love a chance because to pain they’ve been prone So instead of making it work with a man such as myself … they’d rather be alone “Mr., why no children” is a question that is not asked in defeat But it’s asked in a manner to suggest that as a man, I’m not complete As if I am an unfinished puzzle with a piece missing from the box Or that I’m the right set of keys … for the wrong set of locks For some reason I’m out of place and my manhood hit the skids I’m the exception to the rule because I’m a man with no kids There is no extension of my present self, my outlook is all for naught There is no future beyond my present existence … at least that’s the going thought Those who ask such questions either attempt to get into my mind Or try to understand what it is to be a man of my kind Or perhaps they’re just simply curious and don’t want to ignore me Maybe those asking, ask with a tone of sympathy and somehow feel sorry for me Whatever the case or whatever the reasons, the conceptions I dispel My answer, “It’ll happen in it’s own time” and as always “Time will tell” And for those who want a better answer to this self titled rhyme I look them squarely in the face and simply say “now is not the time” Written by: Charles (a.k.a. K-JiO) © 2008