Adreyo Sen- A Poem

Father and Son

An evening before I lost you.

Your slight shoulders were so proud, so firm,

as you sat with the friends to whom

you'll always be beloved, posturing, but never pompous,

perfect little man, sixteen, yet as small

as a sparrow finding its wings in a teasing world.

And my worries seemed far away, Time light upon my lap,

your beauty conquering all.

Beautiful little man.

And as I pressed against my ancient chair 

and dreamed my way down all the greying streets

shot to light by your smile, you came

and sat on my knee.  You leaned into me

and I rested my chin on your rioting hair

and thought how blessed I was

to feel your courage against my heart.

So slight you were and yet

in your teenage years, so suddenly apt

to take offence, or say little stinging things,

to shake off my enormous love.

It made you feel oppressed.

But now you were content to ignore your friends

and ally your silence to mine.

Your soft silence, so soft

and yet the pain of my joy,

a joy always so close

to despair.

I held you close, I held you fierce,

for even then I knew,

I would never hold you again.