She hath wings

It’s hard to keep showing up

My smile, glued to the shattered pieces;

Like a mirror, never again,

Will it ever be the same,

And all the while, my eldest stony;

Running me out of town,

In his thoughts

His words and actions;

Every day a war zone-

Never quite sure if he’s friend or foe,

Striving to protect little children

Listening ears

Fragile hearts

Struggling to hold it all together.

Sandcastle crumbling

Through my fingers

Moments of joy suddenly smashed-

Like a gust of wind bringing waves.

I sit helpless and forlorn

Robbed of the joy my toddler brings,

Yet anxious for my teen-

He would rather be alone.

How he misses tears that fall;

He doesn’t see me limping back

To pick up the shells,

The bucket, the spade-

I’ll come back again

And build tomorrow.

© M. Patterson 6.5.25

Inspired by the children’s book ” Grandpa and Thomas”