Love.

Love.

"Don't want a spanking."
"Yes, and I don't want to give you one." But I do.
I won't let you have candy because you scream and kick.
I won't give in, and drive through McDonald's in response to chants.
If you hit another kid, I won't assume it was his fault.
If you throw a tantrum, I will not coo and coddle.

I will spank you.
I will hug you and wipe your tears,
pull up your pants to cover your red ass,
but I will spank you.

I won't let you stay outside past dark and play with the neighborhood boys.
"Aw, he's so cute." will not be my response to defiant screams of "no."
If you turn a deaf ear to my requests, I will not do in kind.
"donwanna, no, dowwanna..." is not English, but I'm sure translates roughly to "I'm cranky, I'm pretty sure I can get whatever I want, but what I really need right now is somebody to love me enough to spank me good."

I will spank you.
and you will hug me.
you will dig your little fingers into my shirt
and bury your blurry face into my chest
and I will hold you tight.

If I don't...
I might as well give you the bits of broken glass you clamor for,
All the sugar your eyes can behold, your fists can grasp and your lips can pass,
that boiling pot of water? yes, son it's yours,
and sh**, well I wouldn't pet that barking, salivating dog, but if it's what you want, go ahead reach out your fleshy little fingers and pet.