I savor the snapshots of our life,
a little boy's laughter
angelic and sweet.
We were two peas in a pod,
smiling as we welcomed the night,
books by the bedside,
your little finger curled
in the tangle of my hair,
as you pleaded for one more story.
I was your cheerleader
in games lost,
in dreams nurtured and sustained.
I wanted to see the world through
your eyes,
not mine.
You taught me lessons
in ordinary moments,
that gracefully were extraordinary.
You taught me that there is
no other option but
the naked truth.
I should have known
that your world
would become larger
and that mine would be smaller,
that life would be complicated,
a new path
mapped with boundaries.
The storms that I endured
would be kernels of wisdom
to let go,
to step back,
to watch you stand on your own.
Love this line, "I should have known that your world would become larger and that mine would be smaller, that life would be complicated,
ReplyDeletea new path mapped with boundaries." What a bittersweet passage for mother and son. xo
They way of life as it creeps in on some and out on others.
ReplyDeleteYou taught me lessons
ReplyDeletein ordinary moments,
that gracefully were extraordinary
Sigh.. lovely write.
This is so touching and beautiful. It made me think of my son who is now 21. He's taught me so much and it's hard to step back and let him stand (or fall) on his own. I miss the days when he was young and he wanted another bed time story. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThis was beautiful and had the weight of truth, of authenticity. Loved.
ReplyDeleteNice to be back here again - I agree with Buddah: 'the naked truth' and 'storms endured' You speak so eloquently of universal truths here - one of your very best I think...
ReplyDeleteLove the details of "books by the bedside, // your little finger curled // in the tangle of my hair" and the wide-eyed wisdom and love in this piece. There's such poignant resignation in the simple sadness of the lines "I should have known // that your world // would become larger // and that mine would be smaller."
ReplyDeleteThis is a tender and poignant tale.. and I especially adore the end.. I see two siblings growing up into two different realities... but maybe I read it wrong.
ReplyDeleteI admire your mother's hearts...at the end, its very fulfilling to see them stand and walk on their own ~
ReplyDeleteGrace
Ayala, your poem reminded me, everything that a parent should be. Sadly, I never got to experience life, this way. May your child pass on this important lesson, to their children, when the time is right.
ReplyDeleteExtraordinary ordinary moments, I like that...
ReplyDeleteThis is a sweet poem! I also really love the picture of that smiling doggie :) Jilly (fellow peninsula dweller)
ReplyDeletethere is no other option but
ReplyDeletethe naked truth.... absolutely..and knowing that does define a great relationship.
We live for the day they stand on their own, and then lament their void. But we are proud of their accomplishments and happy that the spark that we instilled in them ignites a new fire! A wonderful poem, Ayala!
ReplyDeleteThis is deeply touching to me as a mother.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! This mirrors my own thoughts as a mother of two sons. Stepping back was the hardest thing to do...I still struggle with it.
ReplyDeleteWonderful. Especially relate to the idea that the growing up child's world becomes larger as ours then becomes smaller. I think possibly, part of the trick of parenting adult children (who have children of their own), is insuring that our world also grows larger, into a different shape that can still overlap theirs, but that has its own portion as well. So glad you posted in dVerse today!
ReplyDeleteA wise closing for your piece. That is what we raise them for, to let them go, to stand on their own.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful and moving, Ayala.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wise and wonderful poem!
ReplyDelete