For Those Who Wander

As she turns her head to go

I hold back the tears

with a heart full of love,

 a mind riddled with fear.

 

So young and independent

with no thought of earthly danger,

will she remember to lock her doors

and avoid duplicitous strangers?

 

 I just can’t help but feel afraid

she’s much too far from me

to keep her safe and free from harm

yet live abundantly.

 

Still I know, that leave she must

this big wide world her stage,

experience all there is to see

regardless of her age.

 

As I gently kiss her on the cheek

and hug her e’er so tight,

it’s good to know she goes with God

who’ll watch her through the night.

 

Author's Note

I wrote this many years ago for my daughter as she was leaving to go to college. The Tinkerbell image is of a tattoo she has and where the title of the poem came from.

Reviews

[Perkele.7885]

We have to let them learn and experience and fall and get up and fall and get up

[Dara]

This is so true! Thank you for taking the time to read my poem and your warm review.

[Einstein Noodle]

in your closing lines the answer is in Faith ... can't help but remember all the times i threw myself on it regarding my children ... but especially when they "launched" .. enjoyed reading and the places your poem takes me
E.

[Dara]

Most definitely and "it is sufficient!" I remember you writing that in a comment one time and it always stuck with me :-D So nice to see you here my friend. I hope your day is a great one!

[Einstein Noodle]

yes ..it is indeed .. my day is wonderful ... mowed the north forty, bagged all the results, drank my beer and soon will go a napping ;)) love and peace to you Dara! love and peace
E.

[Lyingwithlions]

I needed to read this one. One of my favorites for sure! I asked God to hold Mikaela in those guiding hands long ago. I couldn't be more proud of her. :)

Thank you again for sharing this site with me, I'm hooked.

[Dara]

I am so happy you were able to get something from this poem. It is what writing poetry and sharing is all about. I am ecstatic to have you here and can tell you are already making an impact on others. Take care and I will also keep your beautiful daughter in my prayers.

[Samuel Dickens]

These words are full of emotion, love, and no small measure of pain. When you've cared for someone and had them right next to you since their birth, their departure can only be traumatic. We know it must be, that they have to go out into the world and make their own way, but it feels like losing a limb, only worse.

[Dara]

You have described the feeling to a 't', Sam, like losing a limb, a part of yourself feels lost forever. My story ends on a good note though. She has since moved back to her hometown and maybe will stay a little longer this time around :-) Thanks so much for your thoughts and kind words.

[Lydia Shutter]

It is so difficult to allow our children to go out into the world without us....and harder still to realize they are old enough and wise enough to take care of themselves. The truth is, though, they always need us....never doubt that. The maternal love in this is strong and well expressed. Lydi**

[Dara]

You are so right and there is a part of me that is happy for it as well. Some ties are never broken. Thank you so much for this beautiful review, Lydi.

[Indra Neil]

A deep and heartfelt write! a parent's thoughts and feelings are excellently conveyed in this fine write! the rhyme flow is wonderful *claps*

[Dara]

Thank you for this warm review and stopping by to have a read! Your words are so greatly appreciated.

[Indra Neil]

u r most welcome! :)

[....................]

Once they have been raised and walk into that world on their own, a parent can only hope that they have given them all they need to start this part of life's journey... I am not a parent but I had two great ones and I am thankful they were able to prepare me - as much as they could - for this world... however, my parents worried about all of us, right up until their deaths, so I imagine you could write these types of poems every day :)...well-done, Dara :)

[Dara]

Thank you FT :-) Somehow she made it through without as much as a scratch. Funny how that happens but parents will be parents. Great to see you my friend. Hope you have a wonderful day.

[....................]

You are welcome, Dara, and that's great... I am always happy to swing by :D