A Meeting and Munchkin Remix

Crying babies are like good intentions: Both should be carried out immediately!

-Brigham Young

Inside the meeting

In overflow seating

One baby will bawl

Brothers will brawl

One smile, one glare

One laugh, one stare

One hand on hips

One finger on lips

Quiet “Shh”, resounding “Shh”

“How cute!” “How loud!”

Parent and child

Willing or shamed

Set free or exiled

Hidden tears tamed

Outside the meeting

Inside the hall

Limited seating

Begins the sprawl:

Babies bawling, toddlers crawling, teens appalling, adults stalling

Some feel afraid

To offer parents aid

Some advice filed

Or compare their child

“Do this” “Do that” “My child never…” “Can I help?”

So many voices

So many choices

Give up? Lecture? Walk the hall? Intimidate? Comfort? Hug? Or force still?

A myriad felt

Heartache, guilt

Uncertainty, fear

Laughter or cheer

God knows: no one knows