labor pains

by um

Posted to Action Poetry on 2003-08-13 00:45:00

from that first instant
when labor started
picnic postponed
sleep postponed
round the clock labor
it wasn’t easy from the start

i thought i could
watch and care for you
i was wrong
i tried but needed help
i built a house for us
while you watched
from your baby chair

then we colored the cookie monster
blue crayon couched in your hand couched in mine
we watched pooh read clifford and busted ghosts
i built you a step stool

we conquered pre school got you a dog
we welcomed home a pair of sisters and your mom
tried fishing
and built a playhouse
then came the turtles
leonardo michaelangelo
raphael and donatello
and baseball
then soccer

video games
vacations
sing alongs
birthday parties
goose bumps
disney world
camping
skate board
i taught your class
with flash paper
and a crystal ball

finding your independence
sneaking out
smoking drinking and the rot
wrestling for curfew
trying to keep you in school
not sure where that natural curiousity went
the childlike wonder
but all must take their own path

i think we’ve come to a day
where we must part ways
you’ll do fine for yourself
stay focused on your tasks
be considerate of others
safety first in all you do
remember your mother and i
and your sisters
we love you and take care, dad

19 years and 2 months
of love guidance nuturance and discipline
it all comes down to this
last 12 hours to get you to the
navy recruiter
with 25$ and shot records