Playing House

You play “house” with your Bratz and sometimes
You invite me in. Pretend to be the dad you instruct
Me without any irony in your voice.

“I can’t right now,” I always answer
Accompanied by a feeling I wear for hours
Nervously biting my nails until I finally
Just have a drink.

I keep you safely distanced
Lest I should fall in love with the fantasy
That you won’t someday turn your back to me
To face the legacy of your own lineage.

We’ll float on in this charade and darling
I promise to do the best I know how.
You’ll have everything the same as I.
You’ll have everything except…