Buddha's Mother Had Her Worries Too

If they'd had them back then, I'll bet
Buddha's mother would have smoked Pall Malls.
And if there'd been cable, I can see her
watching Montel, or Sally Jesse Raphael,
wondering, nervously, if anyone else
has her problem.
Why can't he be like the other kids,
she thinks, taking a big drag,
What am I doing wrong ?

He doesn't play
like the other kids, always
twirling flowers by their stems
smiling beatifically at nothing much
all the neighbors think
he's retarded.
And certainly I'm biased, she thinks,
but there's something special
about him, just give him
some time.