For My Son
For My Son
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)