i lie sometimes

Sometimes I lie
To get through the day
Often, I tell you
There’s no other way

I lie to my kids
About whose snack is bigger
I tell them it’s equal
If not, then I trigger…

A damn fight about how
Her portion’s way smaller
Like I give a damn duck
Please cut out the holler

I lie to them too
About what’s in their food
I may say that it’s noodles
When it’s really tofu

I lie about bedtime
‘Cause, why the duck not?
“Are we there yet?” "Yep, almost!"
(When really, were not)

I lie about what
I do with their art
Is our house the damn Louvre?
No, this mom is smart 🗑️

When they see a fast-food bag
I lie about that
“Did you go without us?”
“No, it's from a while back”

I lie when I need
Just a minute alone
“Up here goin’ pee, guys!”
(When I’m on my phone)

It’s a lie when I threaten
That they won’t go see
Their grandma and grandpa
If they disobey me

That one right there
Is the tallest lie of all
My ‘rents are my weekend warriors
And mama needs a trip to the mall

There is only one thing
About which I don’t lie
And that’s that I love them
From here to the sky