He learns how to swing a fist,
learns how to lose,
and get back up again.
He learns how to kiss,
loses even more,
and keeps on loving.
Learns how to stand
and fall.
Learns how to drive
and crash.
Learns how to gain
and watch it all go away,
quicker than it came.
Learns that only time matters.
Learns that only honesty matters.
Learns that good things
only come
from good things
and that the returns are small,
but always worthwhile.
Always lasting.
He learns that the good ones
always die first.
He learns that if you love something,
then you have to protect it.
He learns that his life,
is a part of many others,
and he’s gotta do well,
or he’ll be a burden on them.
He learns his time is short.
He learns that what he does,
matters.
He learns that pain
is a debt best paid in full,
because it’s coming;
always.
He is a child
and then,
he is a man.
His place
under the high, blue sky
is his to choose.
Who he is
under the deep, black night,
in the company of all the starts,
that’s his choice too.
He learns to find himself,
here,
in between the dirt
and the heavens.
I hope he finds
himself,
as an honest man.
HG – 2019
