you love them so much
you want the best for them
your heart aches when they hurt
your spirit rises when they triumph
you can never hug them too much
your kisses are never wasted on them
you cry when they assert themselves
thinking they don't need you anymore
you weep when they feel that you have wronged them
you would willingly go through all the pain again to bring them into the world
your life would be given to save theirs, without consideration or thought
they are the best part of you
and sometimes the worst
your heart bleeds when the gap is wider than the Grand Canyon
you long for their return to your arms
you pray that it doesn't happen too late
when you can't talk back to them again
or hold them again
or laugh at their silliness ever again
you can only hang on to hope
and believe that someday
they will hold you again too.
For my beloved son Derrick.