Fathers and Sons


It is our destiny to dream
to dig behind the way things seem
discover, not decide, what we can be
guard a mind and soul that’s free
to dream, to struggle and to see

Child into man so suddenly
no border crossed perceptibly
even love does not absolve
blindness to a new resolve
to make the roundabout of dreams revolve

Rebellion is the oyster’s grit
wisdom’s pearls depend on it
experience must learn along the way
and fathers to their sons must say
your dreams, not mine, I’ll stand away

From father’s heart to loved son’s ear
must never come bequested fear
my fears your life must not admit
for love's humble ladder, bit by bit
will time’s discarding pain permit

But striving, dreaming, realise
we know ourselves through others’ eyes
truth is our severest friend
on which life’s meaning must depend
if change is hard, at least amend

Fathers watch their sons exploring space
mirrored self in another’s face
death’s edge touched on a ball of fire
here is the courage dreams require
not just to dream, but to aspire.

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