the ocean always dreamed blue dreams

You can't keep him safe from the world. All we parents can do is equip them to cope with it, and hope for the best.

As a parent I can empathise with you. And I feel the same as Prendrelemick, all we can do is guide our young and hope that one day it will all fall into place. Until then, hang in there.

Yikes, sounds worrying Qimi. I know what you mean about boys - so much effort goes into protecting girls and yet boys seem so vulnerable. I worry about my son. Boys are more likely to suffer physical violence and seem more likely to get into trouble. It's a shame. All we can do is guide them and hope for the best. Be a friend to your son (I'm sure you are) and love him and perhaps that will give him all the protection he needs.

Gorgeous poem, as always, though terribly sad and fraught. I hope it was carthartic writing it.

Thanky you, prendrelemick, Maryd, and Fifth. Yikes, indeed.

Yeah, I know, theoretically, that I can't protect or save my son. The urge remains, however.

Thanks for your kind words and thoughts. It helps, really.

Powerful poem, especially with the precursor of the introduction. It's interesting to see how a poet's biographical events effect their work.

My deepest sympathies truly. The latter stanza is particuarly powerful for me on a personal level, because it makes me think of my mother.

I suppose the only thing you can do in the end is give him your love and care, and though sometimes disipline is necissary, don't discourage him.

Wow Qimi, it really is heartbreaking

it a great poem, don't get me wrong, you know I'm a fan of your work
It seems like you're going through some things
now I see why you haven't posted one in a long time,

I hope times will change

Sorry you have to go through this. It's one day at a time.

Ah I was quite familiar with the police visiting back in my guttersnipes' teen years. At one time when I was cooling my heels in court the judge passed me in the hall and greeted me almost as an old friend. I have treasured that recognition more then is seemly over the years. If it helps my children were always held accountable for their actions and consequences were many and aggravating as it seems that nothing seems to work. Then suddenly it's almost like a light comes on the things change. My boys eventually have turned in responsible adults but there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth. My prayers are with you. Children often know what they ought to do but have trouble with the accomplishing--so much pressure--so much to do. Be at peace.

Thank you Daniel, rimbaud, jesea and mtpspur. I will try to be at peace.

"her ankles fat with sorrow"

Wow! But all of this scratches at my heart's eyeballs with the power of the images.

("soles" was surely meant to be "souls," though)

it's heartbreaking. When they are little I wished for them to be a little bigger. Now that they are bigger I long for the time when I could just keep them in my arms and not have to worry about anything. I can't imagine the trials of having grown children. Now, I'm thinking it may be the hardest phase of parenthood.

Thank you Prince and motherhubbard. It IS hard. He's a good kid-so far. I believe him-for now. He's no trouble at home, but it's like being Sweet Pea's parent; remember him from Popeye?

I'm just seeing this now. Qimi, that is one heck of a poem. That is excellent. Wow! Perhaps your best one yet. Did you mean "soles" or "souls" in that last stanza? Both work and I do prefer soles, but that is a little different.

Completely understand how hard the transition from boy to man is. Sometimes I wonder how I did it. I had friends who got in trouble (some very serious trouble) with the law growing up. Murder, robbery, drugs. You saw it all in Brooklyn. That's why I'm so vigilant on the glorification of drugs here on lit net. Not only are boys not graduating high school but they are way behind in college education as well. Contemporary life is disjointed from male impulses.

Thank you Virgil. I meant 'soles', but I knew most people would also think of 'souls.'

"Contemporatry life is disjointed from male impulses." Well said! My son is a good person, I think, but his judgement is not always what it should be.