Choose

Choose, they said,
Between that strong man who raised you,
And the mother who stuck with you against all odds.

Choose, they said,
Between that gentle man who guided you,
And the woman who made you laugh when you were about to cry.

Choose, they said,
Between that perfect father and not-so-perfect husband,
And that woman who taught you how to love.

Choose, they said,
Between the man whom you call your father,
And the woman who just can’t stop being a mother.

Choose, they said.