Live Through You

It's hard to fight the urge

when you smell a newborn baby's head

that powdery sweetness

that you want to keep kissing forever

what are you going to be?

I know what you aren't going to be

Look back on my life and swear

that we'll do whatever it takes

to be completely different

You see it at sporting events

fathers missed their big chance

so they are humiliating their son

for not making the play

You see it at pageants

moms with crow's feet

trying to hang on to beauty

slipping through their fingers like

hourglass sand

dressing their little girls like sluts

I want you to make mistakes

I will be here to help you get through them

I know that mistakes make you even better

because you are smart enough to learn from them

I try not to belittle you

when you miss a chance to shine

I know that there will be plenty of others

but I want you to know

that every time you perform

as the tears well up, and the pride spills over

that I am like every parent

satisfying everything that I have never done

through your talent

and experiences

no, it isn't jealousy

that's different

jealousy is when I hate you for being so

smart, talented, funny, beautiful

I love you for all of those things

the difference between me and most parents

is they fear that you will fall like they did

and not get the opportunities that they want for you

when I know that anything that you experience

will only be measured by your own ability and desire

and that I'm just along for the ride

I still can't help being so proud

and thankful for these facts

that you are able to do these things

and that you want to