(Echoes between a father and his son)
The office drains you, day by day,
Deadlines chase the light away.
But in your home, a boy stands still
Becoming a man, by quiet will.
He’s not your daughter, not as warm,
He hides his heart behind his form.
A little rough, a little loud,
Still, he wants to make you proud.
Broader now, with shoulders wide,
A growing strength he tries to hide.
Not just in size, but voice and frame
He’s changing fast, not just in name.
He watches you more than he speaks,
Tries on your steps, your ways, your streaks.
He’ll never say, “I want your shoes,”
But wears your habits like tattoos.
And yes he questions things you do,
He wonders if you’d change them too.
He holds his thoughts, but you should know,
He’s building self from what you show.
He’s in the grind of proving worth,
Unsure of place, unsure of mirth.
He doesn’t want his flaws laid bare,
Just quiet faith that you’ll be there.
He speaks in tones that sometimes sting,
A shield he wears while balancing.
Not meant to hurt or cross the line
Just teenage pride in awkward shine.
He may roll eyes or turn away,
As if your words just drift and sway.
But under that dismissive air,
He hopes you’ll see, and still be there.
He knows you’ve worked, he feels the strain
But seeks your calm more than your claim.
A quiet nod, a shared refrain,
Can guide him more than loud acclaim.
A mother loves, she softens ground,
She lifts him up when he’s weighed down.
But even she though warm and wise
Can’t fill the space he sees in your eyes.
For he looks to you to understand,
The path of boys who seek to stand.
To rough it out, to fix, to run
He longs to talk with a man, not anyone.
He needs your patience, not your plan.
He needs to see a gentle man.
Not perfect, real. Not far, right here,
To share his pride, his doubt, his fear.
Take him along just walk the lane,
Talk cars and bikes and weekend rain.
Ask him how his run felt today,
If he’s building strength his way.
Or let him strum his dear guitar,
And tell you dreams that stretch too far.
He won’t be here for long, you know
College calls, and boys must go.
These little talks on simple things
Might one day give his manhood wings.
For even men who grow up bold
Need someone real to help them mold.
So take a drive, or share the sky,
And meet him there just man and guy.
He won’t ask much, but he will see
The kind of man he hopes to be.
Simi
Simi says... 