Threshold

written for a special young man for his 18th birthday

Threshold
a collaboration between two writers.. see author's note

What can one say to you that’s not been said, already?
      A boy stands on his threshold, about to be christened “man”-
Today. But what value that assertion, now?

Coming of age in the age where cynicism reigns supreme;
    Transience its moral standard- but you
with your gift of old wisdom, presence, insight- a stranger there.

What could we, your true peers, tell you?
    Our culture not in the habit now of honoring rites of passage
Having lost touch with ritual- it would seem

That having a beer and your free pass to porn may not quite
    Be what you are looking for. The truth is…some are born
With gifts of timelessness that make them anachronisms

In their own lives. Such is the way, but I’ll tell you…
    If I could wish a few things for you, it would be these:
That you never doubt the sound of your own inner voice

Or the truth in your startling vision.
    That you learn…to fight for what you believe
With compassion but also the knowledge that you are right.

That you smile often, and even to yourself,
    Knowing that it brings joy to those around you,
Even strangers on a train. That you

Forgive yourself when you err, and forgive others
    When they do not. That you
Always take the time…to take the time.

That you remember that an ideal life
    Is one that makes you happy living it
Not others by seeing it. That you

Hold your head proudly high when
    Those around you shuffle their feet
And look always forward while they look down.

That you take the time to leap into the water with your shoes on
    And find time to have fun and be silly
For your own sanity’s sake as well as other’s.

That you realize that a footprint in the sand is temporary,
    But your image on another’s heart is eternal.
That you keep your promises to the child within.

That you remember that a single touch from a friend
    Can mean more than a thousand words from a lover.
That it is okay to cry when you feel another’s pain.

That you never lose a sense of wonder, and find love reciprocated
    Wherever you may go. That you never forget
To harness the wind and see the world from the back of a hawk,

In flight, like your dreams. That no one ever make you believe
    You are less than him, because you do not think the same.
May you always see the world through a poet’s eyes.

and, that when all is said and done, you know
   that not only are you never truly alone, even when it feels that way;
  but most importantly, you can embrace the figure in the mirror

with glad heart at having known the man he has become.

Happy 18th birthday, CS- 9/17/09

 

Author's Note

This was a collaborative effort- I wanted to write it for my friend, but I also wanted a man's perspective to balance my own. Lonestar66 wrote this with me- the parts in italics are his.

Reviews

This poem captures the desire and at the same time, the uncertainty of wanting to grow older, take the next step, be an adult. Hints of amusement here and there, such as this line: "That having a beer and your pass to porn may not quite
Be what you are looking for." It made me laugh a bit, but at the same time it was serious, because when things are out of your reach and you desire them, when the time comes that you can finally catch them, you'll be shocked to find that you just might not want them after all.

A brilliant, insightful poem for a brilliant, respectable, insightful, very talented friend. Thank you for writing this for him.
Happy Birthday, C.S. :)

[Helena]

Absolutely stunning write from you both. I found this to be very uplifting and inspirational, I can't praise this enough! Bravo! Thank you for entering this into my "collaboration" contest ~ Helena

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Very interesting and insightful, some real philosophical work you two.

[An owl on the moon]

Incredible collaboration, flowing together so perfectly like two mountain streams. Every line is profoundly moving, insightful, and something I wish I'd had when I was 18. Glimpses of wisdom, lessons on life, and walking strong; this is simply amazing!

[Voice11]

It is so brilliant, I can't barely put it into words. Tis a very great poem.

[Tim H]

The collaboration seems seamless. The litany of life's lessons learned make the profound hope every parent has for their child. Well done.

[Mark]

This poem should be standard issue at every birthday, every graduation, as most of the advice applies equally well to the female of the species, as to the male. I have a nephew who is about to be seventeen, and wiser counsel than this, I cannot imagine.
This CS fellow is a fortunate man indeed, to have such women as yourself and Phalen in his camp.

[:)]

:)