To My Children

 

You're just a child

A child though of my own making,

But each day

You grow older and I see

You're becoming

Less and less of me.

 

Each day that passes

More of a stranger

You become,

So many ideas that grow

Come from others

I won't ever know.

 

And through each day

When your days are long

And away from me you spend

Fear tears at my heart

That I am losing you

Those hours that we're apart.

 

My child, yes, though innocent

That is true,

But is it right

That I make such a possessive claim

When all you carry

Is just my name?

 

My sweet child,

My life is indeed a part of you,

But with each day

I see you trying to break free

Of that part of you

You think is me.

 

O my child, forgive me now,

For on that day I gave to you

Your life,

I wished to be reborn,

To live over again in you

My life.

 

 

B. Benjamin                                                                                            

BBP191