Early on...

Early on
you noticed how moods
change
when we walk together
from school,
picking acorns and walnuts
bird feathers and
pebbles
making our way home
on a sunny afternoon
you telling me that kindergarten
is a lot of busy work.


I smiled then
knowing full well
that teachers work hard to
make things flow
and keep boys
busy
in their seats
like coaches
try to keep little boys
focused on
chasing the ball
and not picking
daisies on the soccer field.


Later,
exhausted
with sweat and pain
you preferred pizza for a snack
instead of oranges and granola
after
soccer, basketball, baseball
tennis, golf, snowboarding, biking
with teams
or with boys in the neighborhood
in the pool
off the steep hills around us
at Shoup Park
chasing balls
each other
dreams
climbing trees
and mountains.

Daily
you
dressed up
responsibilities
with joyful noises
studying, working,
caring
exploring how
to become
less frustrated
by break-downs
heavy demands
how to know
all there is
to know
holding petals
of a daisy
or watching the flight
of a hummingbird.


And you're still
becoming
exploring
the unknown
without me
knowing your whereabouts.

At Christmas, though, I expect you sharing with me.