MOTHER LOVE

MOTHER LOVE

Tonight, I saw a shock of wavy hair
escape unruly from beneath a baseball cap
and bounce defiantly on suntanned skin
exposed by rolled up sleeves.
The sound of laughter
floated through the gathering dusk,
and once again I heard
the childish noise
that long ago had ceased
to fall upon my ears.
I saw a boy, my son.
Now, a child no more, a man
who stands alone, yet not alone.
A mother's arms no longer shelter him
from harm but hold the memory
tenderly as if in some unfathomed way
the failures of the past can be repaired.
And failing this, I breathed a prayer
that other arms encircling him
would guard protect and love my son
with strength and gentle care.