For My Son
For My Son (Poem)
My son, the smooth-talker.
A heart-stealing thief.
The "Robin Hood" Zorro
Turning grief to relief.
Yours is the Earth and everything in it
Enjoy all you can - for the years pass like minutes.
Embrace Kipling's "If"; Frost's road less-travelled
But fear not the highway (not all paths need gravel!)
Find first your Strength, and postpone Control
For Strength is the shovel that reframes a hole
From "setback" to "tunnel" that leads to a goal;
From thought-trapped desire, to free-flying soul.
Take comfort in Wisdom, and never Control -
The limits and boundaries one fears to extol
A world observed through tiny keyholes
Behind doors that you've locked for safety from trolls.
Within you, find Power, and you will be strong.
Let it show what you're capable of like a song
That forever sings softly and hums in your ear
When searching for Love, or if things disappear.
Inside you is Greatness that grows by the day
And know it compounds both in study and play
The world... it abounds with beautiful things
In people and places that Subtlety brings.
Act not too careful; in all things be bold!
For these write the stories you'll tell when you're old.
Remain open-minded - adaptable too!
See every storm as pre-"morning dew"...
Laugh at the dark; laugh at the funny.
Laugh at the "groaners" (but never your "honey"!)
Value your word - and others the same
It's for this same reason they'll remember your name
And as you gain wisdom, refrain from advice
Unless asked of you - it doesn't end nice.
The truth, you see, that helps people heal
Lies not in your words, but how you made them feel.
I love you, My Son; I love you so much.
If the world breaks your legs, I'm here as your crutch.
But know til you heal, The Godfather in me
Will break the world's legs til it takes a knee.
- A. J. Darkholme (July 2021)
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For My Son (Lyrics)
[Intro]
I know right now you're just a boy
You look outside; the world's your toy
The birds are singing
Grass is green
And greatness waits in the unseen
If this was all you'd ever see
You'd live a life, both full and free
Short, enough as that would be
And far-be-it to come from me
To ever try to crush your dreams
With knowledge learned from darker trees
But as your guide, I feel I need
To teach you of what makes you bleed
[Chorus]
Let me help
Lend your ear
My treasured son, I hold so dear
Take these words inside your pack
So you have strength to make it back
Enjoy your life
Enjoy your wife
And learn to stay away from strife
For life is good
And you are great
Taste every flavour; let it sate
Your every wish, and brightest fate
[Verse 2]
I'm sorry son; I'm torn inside
I must prepare you for the ride
'Cause all you've known is of the light
And I have knowledge of the night
A time, I know, you've never seen
When you're tucked in
At peace, sleeping
But it exists; it's always been
A place where one can only win
If when they enter, they're prepared
By those before who never dared
To let the dark consume their soul
But trust me son, it takes its toll
[Chorus]
Let me help
Lend your ear
My treasured son, I hold so dear
Take these words inside your pack
So you have strength to make it back
Enjoy your life
Enjoy your wife
And learn to stay away from strife
For life is good
And you are great
Taste every flavour; let it sate
Your every wish, and brightest fate
[Verse 3]
I love you more than life itself
A life lived well, not on a shelf
Collect not dust, make your life fire
Become the knight, my noble squire!
And here is where we're gonna start:
Keep Kipling's "If" close to your heart
Remember Frost's "The Road Not Taken"
For in new paths, you will awaken.
In "Dorian Gray" you'll learn desire
Corrupts the soul through secrets slier
Than all the wolves who hunt the sheep
'Cause some mistakes, they don't come cheap
[Bridge]
But ultimately find your way
To brave the night the same as day
Keep curiosity in sight
Remember son, you are the knight
Strong and armoured, noble, true
If anyone should mess with you
They'll mess with you, and then me too
Then all our crew they never knew
Struck back so hard, they won't come-to!
[Breakdown]
whoa-OH-OHHH-oh
whoa-OH-OHHH-oh-OH
whoa-OH-OHHH-oh
whoa-OH-OHHH
[Chorus]
Let me help
Lend your ear
My treasured son, I hold so dear
Take these words inside your pack
So you have strength to make it back
Enjoy your life
Enjoy your wife
And learn to stay away from strife
For life is good
And you are great
Taste every flavour; let it sate
Your every wish
And brightest fate