Stages
At age 3 he wants to be big—strong just like his father.
There is comfort in those arms, both powerful and soft.
Dad can soothe a crying child, but also bring forth tears.
Age 6 he holds his mother, scared to be left at school,
The teacher’s tender touch takes away the trembles and
makes the traumatic act of parting feel smoother.
At 9 he wants to wake his mother; she has slept far too long.
He wants to know her dreams, why she doesn’t seem to stir.
She’s deep in peaceful sleep, he slowly closes the past.
A 12 year old runaway, he’s off to the great white north.
Walks slow like a newborn elk, taking his first steps from his parents.
Finds danger he is unready for, out there in the cold.
Please login or register
You must be logged in or register a new account in order to
Login or Registerleave comments/feedback and rate this poem.