Sunday, April 25, 2021

coming of age

What is it about this coming of age
Watching from the sidelines
As your kids do what you've 
Always wanted them to do

You keep repeating
This was the plan
This was it

But the moment comes and
The fear clenches you in the jaw
As you pass your daughter's hand away

And you want to scream and cry and demand
That you be able to trust this man
More than your own body and soul
To respect and love and care for your baby girl

Or you turn to hug your son 
So young and so old, a man
One last time before leaving him 
And it all just breaks

You're embarrassed 
Because he's fine
And this has been 
The plan all along 

But when did it happen?

You watch them walk off
Start the engine
Shut the door and 
Drive away with streamers
Flailing behind them in the wind

And it's hard not to hate it–
The way the happy tears slip and fall
And all the other ones burn and mix with them
Every fear and regret and guilt and foolish love

What is it about summer
That this coming of age thing
Happens over night

Like a firework
Like a slow sunrise
Like the cows coming home
Or a gunshot at dusk

And they're gone
Done, it's over

And you're left wondering why 
Asking for another day
One more minute

When they were just your own
The whole world ahead
And you beside


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