hard day

Adon had a tough day yesterday. It started out all right but ended with teasing, fighting and disappointment with his so-called peers... heavy sigh. As a parent, it's hard to see your kid get picked on, and even harder to help them through it without wanting to cast aside your own advice and strangle whoever hurt them in the first place. Adon needed something, though, so I wrote him a little poem to (hopefully) help him get through the cusp of teenagerhood:

growth 9/22/10
for Adon

good morning, little tree
a night’s rest
was good for you
your leaves shine in the sun
your branches reaching for new light
a little rain, a little wind
pushing you, strengthening you
it comes and goes
twigs fall, leaves grow
life is long
and your spirit strong
lithe and tough
from years
of shoots intertwined
of roots seeking deeper truths
hard bark
splitting, re-knitting
making strong and supple armor
growing tall, holding fast
I see you’re a little taller –
yesterday was good for you
stretching, seeking, reacting, distracting
all good for you
even the worst storms
reveal the most strength
underneath
the roots hold fast,
the trunk stays strong,
branches flex in the wind
and revel in it all
I know your happy leaf-faces
are waiting for the shining sun
even enjoying the rain
for the new life it brings
and the chance
to grow a little taller
tomorrow.