The Boy in You

I wish I could just go back to the boy you were, 

around five years old

at that very moment you first learned 

that you could not be loved.

I would pick you up, 

I would hold you, 

kiss you, 

dry your tears, 

and tell you that this wasn't true.

So that twenty two years later, 

when you heard it from me, 

you would believe it to be so. 

Instead of trying to convince me

that it was I

who did not know

how to love.

Reviews

[Wesley Dingler]

This is a very good piece. I really like how it summed up two decades in just a few lines, and set a long motion picture of a young boy's growth in my mind.
If I'm reading it right the ending was a little sad. Like the boy grew up to go through, as we all do, a distancing and rebellious stage in his life.
Which seemed to have reverted his own perspective.

[Laura Kate]

Hi Wesley. You're right, the ending has an unexpected twist and is a little sad but important in the story, Many thanks for your thoughtful review :)

[Kent Rawski]

This poem reminds me of 2. Adages 1st a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still. The 2nd you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink it sounds as if from your thought s this relationship has hit a stalemate there is definitely a need for change. Intricacies of the heart and mind can be stormy waters but there will also come a calm. Let it be. Nice write

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wow, what a significant twist...and often true...i experienced this...a mother who had a rough, unloved childhood, who found it not so easy to show affection...
i know this one.
j.

[Laura Kate]

Hi Jacob, thank you for showing your understanding. It seems to be quite common, unfortunately.
read moreHi Jacob, thank you for showing your understanding. It seems to be quite common, unfortunately.
Best,
Laura