WHIMSICAL POETRY

My Beloved Child
04/10/99

My beloved child
I have watched over you
Since before you were even fully formed.
All of your life
As best I could
With all I was

And seeing you now,
I am proud of who you are,
Both with and without;
In mind and in heart
In body and soul

Not for my accomplishments in you
But for your accomplishments
Despite my inadequate guidance

As I watch you now,
I long to find a way
To erase the shadows of anguish and doubt
From your eyes
From your heart
From your soul

I wish there were a way
To eradicate the insecurity, the fear of rejection
And the pain of the betrayals of your unselfish affection
For those undeserving
So poorly raised and unable to give love
They made you feel defective,
To cover up their own inabilities.

Deep inside I cry for you,
Because I have felt the things you feel
And I know that, despite my desire to protect you
I let you down.

But I learned a very long time ago
Life can and will change
Life can and will go on
Life can and will get better

It is a journey, and a brief one at that.
As we learn to deal with the bumps
And the sudden changes in terrain and direction
We learn to look around at the scenery
And enjoy the company of
Traveling companions
No matter how temporary

And we learn that the journey is too short
To allow others to steal our joy
Or load us down with their heavy baggage.