Sun Kissed Days

Sun Kissed Days

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Sixteen



Sixteen
is the handsome boy
that feels like an
ugly duckling.
Sixteen
is wise remarks
that make me laugh
even though I restrain myself.
Sixteen is dark humor 
mixed with silly undertones.
It's tousled curls in his hair
when it was always lank.
Sixteen is a world
I want to step into
as I sink into a marsh.
I try to remember
my sixteen,
my youth,
my insecurities,
and struggle 
to mirror his uncharted sea.
Sixteen is loving
in small gestures,
it's late nights,
boundless energy,
it's heavy and light.
Sixteen
is sinking into a computer screen
for endless hours,
talking to friends
while saying nothing
of importance.
Sixteen
resides in a room 
that resembles a dungeon.
The only beacon are keepsakes
buried in the closet and chest
of drawers.
He is witty like Stephen Colbert
and funny like Jon Stewart
not that I would compare him to either.
He is unique,
this sixteen unparalleled 
to any other.
This is his path to walk on,
and mine to follow from a distance
with unconditional love.


48 comments:

  1. Love the sense of dungeon.. you have captured sixteen perfectly

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  2. He is so cute!!!


    What a powerful ending:
    "This is his path to walk on,
    and mine to follow from a distance
    with unconditional love."

    "it's heavy and light" ... I love this line.

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  3. Ah, how you take me back! (Being the mother of sons.) Thank you.

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  4. This pulled at me today! Mine are 27 and 30--I remember 16 though-I loved that you can see 16 in his curls

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    1. Ah :) Thank you, Audrey. I have a 30 year old too. :)

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  5. Ahh, to be sixteen again... I have a 16-year-old son too...almost 17. What a time! This made me smile and nod along with your words.

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  6. This is his path to walk on,
    and mine to follow from a distance
    with unconditional love.

    I'm certain you echoed the hearts of many. ...and beautifully

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  7. I adore this loving look at your son. Love that he has such humor....that will see him through his life and you can tell him I said so. Smiles. It sounds like he is a sixteen year old making good choices, and that is truly wonderful in this dangerous world. It means he has really good devoted loving parents.A good platform from which to spring into the world.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sherry. You are kind and wonderful.

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  8. Yup! You're in deep poop... but the garden does grow hehe Great piece, well understood (3 boys 1 girl)Happy New Year. :)
    ZQ

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  9. A lovely piece rendered with love and tenderness.

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  10. Sweet 16 and so much to look forward to in life with its measure of mistakes to be encountered!

    Hank

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  11. You captured it well. I remember the dungeon as you say about the bedroom.. they are grown so fast then off they go ... enjoy it all...bkm

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    Replies
    1. I do.... I am trying to hold on to every moment.

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  12. For all it's troubles sixteen can be an age of exploration - i love that thought!

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  13. 16 can sure be fun as much is spun, not always fun for parents though lol

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  14. 16.. gosh! Its the most challenging year of our lives!

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  15. I would certainly not like to relive the teenage years - they're tough. A loving parent is a great help, though. Your lines clearly show the understanding every 16 year old boy needs.

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  16. A wonderful, true poem! Heartfelt and wise!

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  17. ah....so beautiful...I relate to your words....

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  18. How these kids grow up so quickly ~ Good luck Ayala as these are turbulent and challenging years ~

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  19. It started to sound like me toward the end! Very sweet.

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  20. Sixteen is a world
    I want to step into
    as I sink into a marsh.... loved this poem.

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  21. Aww, to be sixteen. You capture it well, Ayala. Happy Birthday!

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  22. You captured being sixteen and watching from a distance so well in this poem. Well done. :)

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  23. The wonders of sixteen that we, as parents, can only observe but never go back to ourselves. We live vicariously through our children though sometimes, don't we! Beautifully and lovingly captured, Ayala.

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  24. So many different facets to being 16 and the observations we have as a parent are as unique as the children we have the privilege of raising. What a great idea to capture them this way, Ayala :-)

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