For My Son James

That which cannot last forever
Does cause the heart to soar
A toddler’s smile, his cherub voice –
The cowboy hat he wore

He’s grown into a man’s body
His muscles thick and strong
The world is his to conquer now
And all his whole life long

One day he’ll gaze on his own son
And revel in the sight
So pure, so new, so precious too
Revealed late one dark night

Too soon the sun will overcome
The tiny baby’s bloom
The child will smile, then take a step
And shed his milk perfume

My son will see his own fair lad
Become a strapping man
He’ll wonder where the hours went
He’s done the best he can

But Time in all its acumen
Consumes all living things
We started out on bended knees
Yet leave with angel’s wings