As If It Were That Easy

My piano student should have been picked up by five
She’s moved past adagios and on to Paw Patrol
Her mother’s phone was ringing, but now it’s switched off
I’m dividing my dinner in two when mine calls 
She’ll say there was traffic, she does this all the time
Probably at a party or the hair salon
One of these days, I’m going to tell her my mind
It’s just that I really need this money, if not—
But venting to my mother never does me good
It's like drawing sympathy from an empty well
Or fishing for compassion in a trickling stream
These are the last of your childbearing years, she tuts
Cold disapproval more audible than her words
Stop minding other people’s kids and have your own.