i’m glad he’s comfortable
asking me questions
that i can’t answer
gives us a chance
to spend time together
talk things out
reason our way through
all that’s definite and possible

like his algebra homework
on complex numbers
where there are real parts
numbers we’re used to seeing
and imaginary parts
that i needing to be worked out

i can’t just plug his parents
into a formula and get
him answers that way
but now’s as good a time
as any for him to learn
that some relationship problems
like some equations
have no real solutions

but sometimes answers
can be found if we’re willing
to deal with a little complexity
and utilize our imaginations