It’s easy to think
I’m abstract terms about “struggle”
But much harder
When your child is hundreds of miles away
And crying on the phone
It’s easy to think
I’m abstract terms about “struggle”
But much harder
When your child is hundreds of miles away
And crying on the phone
A breeze has begun.
Listless still, but cold and crisp
It harbors the fall.
and the end of an old cycle
But, underneath the wind
A budding laugh grows
And she awakens
Like a new spring
Looking through photos
Brings a honeyed nostalgia
That’s soured with fear
What if I remember
Only the picture? And not
The sweetness of the moment?
It’s never enough
You can work – or stay at home
You can have game nights
And family dinner
You can take an interest
Or give them some space
But no matter what
To a teenager…
It’s never enough
How do I begin?
You had to grow up too soon.
You were the strong one
The oldest kiddo
With the most responsibility
As you celebrate this day
I think that the hardest times
Are finally behind
Sometimes I feel like
I’m a placeholder for others
Because of me
Their world stays in tact.
They’re allowed to grow, and be
While I remain fixed.
Always straggling behind
In the shadow of their success.
Choices expand stress
The wait; the anticipation
The decision though
Pierces through the fear
Popping it like a balloon
The choice is made
And life can lift
A gentle rhythm
Inhale, exhale, and repeat
Stave off all that’s bad
It’s so hard to start
But the pounding of my feet
And the sweat dripping
Keeps me sane
Watching her healing
Is terribly frightening
It’s like when a child
Gets close to an edge
You want to snatch them up and
Hug them tight to you
So you’re never scared
But, that’s the problem…you see
Because the healing
Is not about me
She has to heal for herself
All I do is watch
Labor division
Is never equitable
Where kids are involved