My Son

My Son

As a lad you held my hand

You walked with me

You sat upon my knee

I sang to you

You came to me

I wiped your tears 

You needed me, I needed you.

Then my son, you grew

You dropped my hand

You chose friends to walk beside you

My knee became to small

You had not the time

For a rock or a song

Your tears subsided

You needed them, they needed you.

Then my son, you grew

There were other hands to hold

You took long walks

But not with me

You held others upon your knee

Rocked and sang love songs

You wiped away their tears 

You needed them, they needed you

Then my son, you grew

You took her hand in yours

You walked the aisle with her

Built with your hands

Your own rocking chair

She sang love songs to you 

You wiped each others tears

You pledged your love

You needed her, she needed you.

Then my son, you grew

A little one held your hand

You walked with her

She sat upon your knee

You sang lullabies

You wiped her tears

She called you, "Dad"

She needed you, you needed her.

Then my son, you grew

You became wise

You held my hand

You walked with me

We sat together

We talked of days gone by

You wiped my tears

I needed you, you needed me.

Betty King

(Chicken Soup for the Mother and Son Soul)