My dear son… You’ve grown fast.
Your heart is warm; your mind is cool;
You’re perfect, just as in the past!
And I’ve become an old fool.
I look at you and see the boy
With golden hair, soft as fluff,
Who sleeps and gently hugs his toy,
And doesn’t dream of being tough.
I see the boy who laughs and plays
With lizards, turtles, butterflies
And me… And me!.. But those days
Have gone, I have to realize.
My dear son, forgive my cries,
And yells of hopelessness forgive!
Forget my knowledge that defies
The one who knows how to live.
I’m years older than you,
But of your life I know none,
Except that it has blossomed due
To love for you, my dear son.
Forget… Like most grownups,
Send off to hell your sweet recalls:
My reaching hand that interrupts
Your unawareness of falls,
My legs that run at greatest speed
To save your time from being vain,
My minds that grasp your every need,
My heart that feels your every pain…
It’s so ridiculous, of course,
To grieve for those ancient times
When my beloved baby was
So proud of our friendship ties.
Alas, that friendship’s gone for good,
And there’s naught that can be done.
Unheard and never understood,
I hear you, my dear son,
And understand: the time has come
For me to step aside and wait
For my existence to succumb
To isolation’s deadly weight.
I’ll step aside, my dear son,
The old fool you won’t miss.
I’ll go, having asked for none,
Except remembering of this:
With all the tenderness and might
Of deepest love that won’t be dead,
I wish you’d never have to write
The words of sorrow you’ve just read…
~~~
19 May, 2015