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.