FOR MY SON

Watching children grow
is like threatening the ivy
to climb the garden wall.
You wait for it to happen
You hurry it along with love.
But still, you’re disappointed
at giving someone life enough
to walk off on their own
and not be carried in your arms.
You never turn your back - not once -
and yet, one day, they’ve grown apart or taller.
It’s all the same.
Polly put the kettle on we’ll all have tea.
Giving love to children
has made us older overnight.

©Rod McKuen