deepundergroundpoetry.com
Benjamin’s Buttons
perfect, you emerged
from the other side,
the collective’s gift
wrapped in a challenge
yet to come
and unlike your brother,
you arrived
as a stranger to me
~and I, to you~
maybe it was exhaustion
or that you never cried
unless you were hungry -
I can only remember
feeling so unnecessary;
my maternal instincts
overbearing and gaudy,
although I’m now sure
I’ll never know quite how
I could have missed
~all the signs~
our shared path
was of broken cobblestone
walked by two acquaintances
who carefully stepped
with bruised bare feet
and who knew a little too much
of the other’s secrets;
our bond sure and uneasy,
your temper short-circuiting
these triggers I’ve worked hard
to disarm
~it’s all too familiar~
you are your own man now
or so we keep pretending;
this transition you’re in -
the season of becoming
the partner, friend, father
you will be,
is not a time for the reality
that you are not ready -
rather, it will be defined
by your own ability
to fake-it-‘til-you-make-it,
the same as all of those
blessed enough
to have crossed
the rough ocean
between boy and man
ahead of your arrival
~I have so much hope~
even as as you tread
that fathomless ink-water,
your fractured mind, a gift
from the coffers
of family jewels
long become worthless,
you are more aware
my dearest love
of the demons that play
in the deep;
so much more
~than they, of you~
from the other side,
the collective’s gift
wrapped in a challenge
yet to come
and unlike your brother,
you arrived
as a stranger to me
~and I, to you~
maybe it was exhaustion
or that you never cried
unless you were hungry -
I can only remember
feeling so unnecessary;
my maternal instincts
overbearing and gaudy,
although I’m now sure
I’ll never know quite how
I could have missed
~all the signs~
our shared path
was of broken cobblestone
walked by two acquaintances
who carefully stepped
with bruised bare feet
and who knew a little too much
of the other’s secrets;
our bond sure and uneasy,
your temper short-circuiting
these triggers I’ve worked hard
to disarm
~it’s all too familiar~
you are your own man now
or so we keep pretending;
this transition you’re in -
the season of becoming
the partner, friend, father
you will be,
is not a time for the reality
that you are not ready -
rather, it will be defined
by your own ability
to fake-it-‘til-you-make-it,
the same as all of those
blessed enough
to have crossed
the rough ocean
between boy and man
ahead of your arrival
~I have so much hope~
even as as you tread
that fathomless ink-water,
your fractured mind, a gift
from the coffers
of family jewels
long become worthless,
you are more aware
my dearest love
of the demons that play
in the deep;
so much more
~than they, of you~
Published 26th Jul 2020
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likes 5
reading list entries 2
comments 8
reads 247
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
27th Jul 2020 4:16am
Every single word is placed exact. And the road it builds is clear. There is a tremendous amount of love there, along with the awkward of honesty. But you worded it perfectly perfect, as i know no better way of emphasizing that.
And the work you do yourself can be passed along. And the two of you can break another cycle, and find smiles that may not have been without. I have nothing but hope and a bit knowing ego to say, it'll happen.
The hugs will be tighter.
The bond will be tighter.
And the feeling will be mutual from the help.
And the work you do yourself can be passed along. And the two of you can break another cycle, and find smiles that may not have been without. I have nothing but hope and a bit knowing ego to say, it'll happen.
The hugs will be tighter.
The bond will be tighter.
And the feeling will be mutual from the help.
27th Jul 2020 4:39am
Thank you so much for your kind words, Love . I have faith we will continue to bond deeply as we always have - our own way ♥️.
27th Jul 2020 4:46am
What Garrett said is beautiful. I love the tender, slow meter. It walks down the page like fingers on piano keys, with beautifully measured tones.
27th Jul 2020 4:14pm
27th Jul 2020 2:16pm
This is beautiful, Luna. You're truly a master of self-expression, particularly in difficult circumstances.
27th Jul 2020 4:14pm
28th Jul 2020 4:14am
Dear L,
An absolutely beautiful reflection of the relationship between mother and son. How tenuous it can be at times. I so very much admire your open and honest prayer in describing family situations that are filled with love and also filled with differences and hardships. Your delicacy, strength and directness is a testament to your own work in becoming the best you and therefore the best mother. Touching and beautiful write.
H🌷
An absolutely beautiful reflection of the relationship between mother and son. How tenuous it can be at times. I so very much admire your open and honest prayer in describing family situations that are filled with love and also filled with differences and hardships. Your delicacy, strength and directness is a testament to your own work in becoming the best you and therefore the best mother. Touching and beautiful write.
H🌷
13th Aug 2020 5:12am
