Fairness, by Peppy Scott

This poem by our member Peppy Scott was placed second in the 2020 Folio competition, and published in Folio #74.

Fairness

She pondered on the mystery that made
two sisters so distinct, one from the other,
though raised in the same home, by the same mother,
to one strict set of rules. They often played
together, but their dissociated eyes
saw territory they were meant to share,
aware of being bundled as a pair,
begrudging the involuntary ties.
Wondering at this, she understood
that loving equally meant she must feed
each child according to her single need,
filtering the milk of motherhood.
Appropriately, she dispensed her care.
Each sensed discrimination, cried: ‘Unfair!’