A Letter to My Unborn Son

or

The Letter I Never Got From My Father

 

This is advice from father to son.

Even though your journey has far from begun.

Listen to my voice and forget all your fears.

Because no matter what, I’ll clean up your tears.

The world will come at you right from the start.

Just remember my words and keep them close to your heart.

This is advice from father to son.

 

In the beginning it’s easy.

In the beginning it’s nice.

In the beginning it’s breezy.

You’ll be skating on ice.

But life isn’t that easy, or so you’ll come to learn.

The ice that you skate on, will suddenly burn.

And the next thing you know you’re beginning to drown.

Ice fractals floating in water as you begin to drown.

But you are your father’s son and that’s more than enough.

I promise you’ll find your footing when the going gets tough.

 

When your first love finds you, a punch in the gut.

And when that love leaves you, your hearts gets its first cut.

From the movies you’ve watched you’ll think you know it all.

You’ll know that the hero always suffers one fall.

And after that point the hero stands tall.

He dusts himself off and answers his call.

He defeats the villain and rescues us all.

But life is far from a movie.

 

Life will tell you to live in a box.

But son don’t listen, because you’re a smart little fox.

No four walls can contain you, shape you, or break you.

Even outside those walls life will continue to shake you.

But you are your father’s son.

 

You’re gonna hate me at times.

You’re gonna run to your brother.

You’re gonna hate me at times.

You’re gonna run to your mother.

You’re gonna hate me at times.

You’re gonna run to another.

You’re gonna hate me at times.

But I’m gonna love you like no other.

 

No matter how much we fight you’ll never hear me say,

“Why not man up” or “Stop being so gay.”

Because straight isn’t the only way.

And you could make the choice to which way that you sway.

Whether you’re straight, gay, panz, or what not.

A boy or a girl or an “It” in a knot.

You will still be my child, that much I mean.

And as my child I’ll make sure that you’re seen.

 

I’m writing this poem before you’re even born.

So that way you’ll have it when the world has you torn.

You’re gonna go far son, it’s all gonna work out.

I’m gonna watch you grow old and meet your new spouse.

I’ll hear about your engagement and about your new house.

I can’t wait to meet your new baby and see it’s first pout.

 

You may one day have kids of your own.

You’ll teach them your ways and maybe some lesson I’ve shown.

You’ve grown up so fast so tender so great.

My son you deserve this, you’ve made your own fate.

 

And one day I’ll leave you, that much is sure.

But that is my adventure, to one day knock on Death’s door.

Though gone I will be, don’t mourn for me much.

Just close your eyes and feel me in your children’s tiny touch.

Remember the days we played ball in the sun.

Remember the days when we went for a run.

A run through the forest surrounded by trees.

A run through the water, that broke on the beach.

 

You have a life of your own to live now.

Children to care for and things to show how.

They’ll listen to your voice and forget all their fears.

Because no matter what, you’ll clean up their tears.

This is advice from father to son.

The world has come at you straight from the start.

Just remember my words, and keep me close to your heart.

And even though your journey has far from begun.

I love you already, cause you’re already my son.