We wept with our mothers when our fathers left us. Comforting us, they held us tightly, tearfully whispering how much they loved us. We wept and slept, arising to the fact that all we had was us. Wiping the tears from her eyes, I said solemnly, Mom, please don’t cry. She would cook, stare and press her hair with rolling tears. Fuck the coward who caused us to go through the hard years. Fuck his life. Fuck his wife. Fuck his days and his nights. A rose for my mother and all others who suffered. I am strengthened in my pain and nights of endless rain. We didn’t necessarily want stepfathers. We wanted our mothers to find new love and to live again, in the love and security of faithful and honorable men. I will recite a loving poem and leave a beautiful rose for them.