MothwingBlog nature-art-poetry

two years old
had never spoken
his parents
hidebound and heartless
in their religious ideology
withheld food
believing that would
convince him to begin speaking
words
he had never been taught
had never been read to
never spoken with
confined to his crib
for their convenience

with your help
why
it took just two minutes
to make the speaking game
such great fun
learning colors
blue!
learning names
drew!
turning words
to silly songs
la la la
bididding!
bududdddoo!

he pointed to a picture
of a guitar
i showed him
to pluck guitar strings
blllllump
poke two notes on the piano
full of purpose
pling bleng

time to go
bye bye
drew
bye bye

a song
in our hearts

forever

~~~~~~~~~~~

beloved friend
it's not philosophy
or mysticism
to feel
that we are all
one heart
one body
one large life
playing out
in myriad
selves

i
always knew
your gifted son's
isolation
anger
as my own

at eight years
a little man
add eight more
he doubles in size
strength
reach

recognized
as himself
given the tools
to build his world
he reaches
infinity

~~~~~~~~~~~