Paper Boat

 ...and here's another, written at a different time, for a different child:

From this source

You were released

To joyfully explore

The endless possibilities and paths

Unbounded

You made your way

Racing the tumbling stream

With excitement

Into the broadening river

To set sail

Effortlessly traversing the wide waters

Until 

The mist descends

And the mighty mountains

Scaled in your youth

Rise into grey

Familiar landmarks vanish

As you are enveloped in the fog

Disoriented

Uncertain

But yet

You are still afloat

And there is still a light

Consistently flashing beacon of hope

Calling through the haze

There is still a way

A path through the rocky waters

To this safe haven.

Future Flourishing

Raising teenagers is challenging. Especially teenagers dealing with the emotions arising from major changes in their lives. I don't always get it right, but I try.  Over the past year I have written a few poems particularly for my children. Here is one:

There are seasons

In us

Around us

And if my flourishing spring

Coincides with your stormy winter winds

Know this:

We are still rooted

Together in the same ground

Foundations firm enough to hold us both

Through the changing weathers.

And I have faith to believe

Your sapling tree can bend

Unbroken by the gale

Strengthened by the flexing

Hoping one day you’ll see

The shelter of my evergreen

Standing close beside you

Until your summer comes.