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Errant Child, Lest You Forget

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07-06-2009 at 02:49:51 PM

Errant Child, Lest You Forget

Read and rate my poem. grin

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08-06-2009 at 10:34:08 PM

Re: Errant Child, Lest You Forget

MY SON

It’s impossible to say
How much I love my son.
When we’re talking or trying
To work together
I feel like I’m wrestling
With an alligator.

He’s tough
But so smooth
You don’t see how tough
Until it’s too late!
By then he’s got you,
Like an alligator!

He’s smart
In the same way
I used to be smart.
I say used to be because
My life situation has changed
I’ve become old; he’s still young.

I sure did have a good time when I was his age.
I can see now that I was a real hell raiser
Though I never thought of myself that way.
I felt like I was an explorer of the unknown
Because everything had changed so much
Since I’d been a kid, I didn’t know
What to tell my kids about life
Until I’d had more experience
In the world where they
Would likely live.

He’s perceptive.
The last time I set out
On one of the many major life changes
That I’ve made.
He said to me:
“Another adventure, huh Dad?”
I’d never thought of it that way before.

I hope he’s having as much fun as I had at his age.
His life’s a lot different than mine’s ever been
But who in the world would ever look
At the life of a crazy man like me and want to emulate it?

But I remembered then that he was that same
Little five year tow-headed old boy that I’d noticed
As he played in the driveway
One morning when we lived in Kansas City:
The sun was shining through his blond,
Sunbleached, almost white hair.
And I knew then that
He’s an angel.

He really gets pissed off at me
From time to time.
I don’t blame him for that
I sure haven’t always been
The world’s greatest role model,

But he’s always been there for me.
Always when I’ve just about decided
That nobody in the world gives a shit about me
He rolls up with that ear-to-ear grin on his face
And I feel again how proud I am
To be his Dad.
I love him
And I’m so glad that:
He’s my son.

Copyright February 13th , 2009
1CrazyGrampa

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08-07-2009 at 04:00:48 AM

Re: Errant Child, Lest You Forget

There's an intellectual nexus or thread linking these works. In spite of our uniqueness as individuals and peculiarities of our situations, the sameness of humanity is a common denominator. When the kids become adults, they forget that they sucked from their mother's breasts and come to roost only when they hit the rocks outside. Thanks for reading and comparing my work with yours. LOL

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08-07-2009 at 09:27:49 AM

Re: Errant Child, Lest You Forget

The Journey
( A Father's Lament )

He'll hold her gently in his arms,
afraid that she might break.
He'll smile at her, uncertain
of the journey they must take.

Their path ahead, at first, is smooth.
His pace is strong and sure.
As they crest the first hill, though,
her weight he can't ignore.

She's growing fast, she wants to walk.
He's patient as her guide.
As they reach the second hill,
She's walking by his side.

Hand in hand they stroll the path.
He's noticed how she's grown.
She slips her hand away from his,
prepared to walk alone.

He understands her restlessness.
He'll try hard not to mind.
As he tops the third hill,
she's left him far behind.

He'll watch her from a distance.
A tear will cloud his eye.
As she conquers one last hill,
she turns to wave good-bye.

He feels a joy and sadness.
He's proud she's moving on.
The sadness is the knowing,
his little girl is gone.

Alone he'll fight that final hill.
He knows it's destiny.
For she stands, the woman
his daughter's grown to be.

The Journey 2
( His Father's Smile )

She'll kiss him lightly on the cheek,
then, off again she'll run.
He'll watch her fade into the mist,
two new paths have begun.

Her life is just beginning,
she needs the room to grow.
Destination....that horizon
where her father cannot go.

She's living for the moment,
the thrill her life can hold.
She'll write her father, now and then.
Unnoticed, he's grown old.


Years will pass, forever, as
they walk their paths alone.
He'll think about his little girl,
she'l l" almost " dial the phone.


Alone, one day, she finds him,
on a bench beside the trail.
He doesn't walk as often,
his body has grown frail.

He'll smile the way he used to.
His eyes still hold his youth.
She knows the pain he's hidden.
They need to face the truth.

She takes his hand, they slowly walk.
He'll talk about the past.
She'll catch him as he stumbles.
Time slips away too fast.

She'll hold him gently in her arms
afraid that he might break.
She'll smile at him uncertain,
of this journey he must make.

He'll touch her lightly on the cheek,
the message all too clear.
He'll memorize her features.
His time is drawing near.

She'll catch the worry in his eyes.
She'll know and understand.
"I'll be okay."She'll whisper.
He'll weakly squeeze her hand.


All the love he's given her,
she'll promise to retain.
As night with dawn...
He passes on...
while memories remain.


Alone apon the path he'll stand,
the spirit's avenue.
A lonely figure on a bench.
A promised rendevous.

"Hello, my son," is offered.
"I've waited quite a while.
Come walk with me," and instantly,
he'll share his father's smile.

© 2009 bandit1192 (All Rights Reserved)




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08-07-2009 at 02:09:52 PM

Re: Errant Child, Lest You Forget

Thanks, Bandit1192 for reading my work: Errant Child, Lest You Forget" and spotting the thread linking it to yours: "The Journey (A Father's Lament." Sustainable love between father and child mitigates the emotional and other effects of the "empty nest syndrome" when TIME tinkers us into "second childhood." cool smirk

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08-07-2009 at 09:57:20 PM

Re: Errant Child, Lest You Forget

Thank you, Arutee4ever. My daughter and I have been through so much together. I hope things work out for you and your's. TS

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Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.

Robert Frost (1875-1963) American Poet.
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