Parting

"But I don't want you to go"
Big, sad brown eyes look at me,
As a pouty mouth exclaims those words.

I sigh, we've been through this before.
Not that it ever seems to get easier.
You'd think it would, the seventh time around!

Its a lesson worth remembering...
Practice maketh not perfect,
And repetition maketh not easier.

When you love someone so very much
And they love you back with such sweet intensity,
It hurts as much every time you say goodbye.

'Handsome', 'Baby', 'Monster',
Just some of the endearments he answers to.
One day soon though, that'll come to an end.

"Call me by my name", he will command.
And that is when I'll realize, regretfully,
That my favorite little boy is all grown up.

Still, until that day comes along
I'm making the most of every hug, kiss, question
Smiling in anticipation, of my next visit.

Some of the lighter stuff I've written, this one is also from 2002. The little monster in question is now a college boy, and probably has no recollection of such things. But I will never forget the love and affection of that sweet, darling little boy, who, though my cousin, being 17 years younger was more like my kid! It would take no more than a phone call to him, to hear his high bubbly voice on the other end, shrill with the excitement of having "Cousin Zany" on the other end of the line, to rectify any unhappiness or homesickness the day had brought.