he gets it from you
our youngest son
not a morning person
a night owl like his father
energized by moonlight
an impish grin
freckles on his nose
precision drawing
neater ways
a tough guy
on the outside
you won't see him cry
he holds the hurt inside
this boy needs a lot of space
he plays it close
no crowding please
he has hugs for his mama
and cuddles too
lucky me
the stubborn is from us both
that's only fair to say
he got a double helping
heaven help us along the way

I wrote this poem for my youngest son earlier this month as a companion to, "he gets it from me (T.J.B.)". This very recent self portrait was drawn in pencil and crayon earlier this month (May 2011) by A.T.B. in 2nd grade. I especially love the big smile on his face, the precision of his pencil marks and the strong bold color and strokes he colored his torso with. He's Passionate, That One. I've been using that adjective to describe him for years because I admire his strength and stubborn resolve when he believes so thoroughly that he's right. While it can Make Parenting More Of A Challenge (than it already is) I wouldn't want him any other way.

Here's a link to the companion poem, "he gets it from me T.J.B."
http://my.opera.com/jbaird/blog/2011/05/23/he-gets-it-from-me-t-j-b

© 2011 Janean Baird, Turquoise Tangles