(This is a seven poem series that was directly inspired by my younger brother, Sam. I wrote a different poem based on my perception and experiences with him at each stage.)
Present Day
I had been waiting
in my hot car for ten minutes,
already ignited
by impatience.
I watched you take your time
walking to the parking lot.
You seemed to do that
a lot now.
You don’t like school so much
Anymore.
However, I always end up getting an earful
about your friends,
the girls you like,
and wrestling.
You’ve mentioned college before,
and I had to remind myself
to breathe.
You’re only in middle school.
I remember when you
were still a surprise
in mom’s belly.
Now you’ve grown into a young man
who’s taller than me.
You’ve been distantly
following me
up the ladder
since you were born.
I can’t even fathom you
reaching the top of it
until I’ve done it myself.
You have so many dreams,
aspirations,
and you’re convinced
that my advice is useless.
I guess I also forgot
how stubborn and unwavering
adolescence can be.
I know one day you’ll learn,
and that scares me a little.
I want to tell you
how hard life can be,
but I know you won’t listen,
the same way I never did.
