[FOsen]

At first, a baby, sleeping on a shoulder
and next the jam-faced girl seen off to school,
then comes a sullen teen who’s slightly older,
and has to be assured she’s dressing cool.

The lover who makes plans for Friday night,
the wife who sees her husband leave the nest,
the businesswoman spoiling for a fight,
a slippered wretch who only wants to rest,

and finally, comatose upon a couch,
her battle done, mouth open in a snore.
Each one of us who lives with her can vouch -
from nursemaid, chauffeur, therapist, and more -

a woman plays assorted roles in life.
Some play them all each day, just ask my wife.