family man

A boy sits at home alone and told
he needs to get his haircut.
So off he walks, each way 3 miles
“down the block”and gets a trim he sees fit.

Now home with one foot in the door,
“go back and cut off some more”
he hears to his chagrin.
But on his walk back, he realizes a fact
he likes it just the way it is.

So he becomes hell-bent, without anyone’s
consent
walking away to live life on his own terms.
At first, it was the worst
working hard for every penny earned.

One day, he learned a trade and
focused on being the best.
Some days he missed a nail and felt like he
failed
so he worked harder the next.

He soon learned, to enjoy what he earned
going up on buildings high like stilts.
Giving his all and at the end of the day
standing tall
looking back at what he had built.

Next thing he knew, he had his own kid
(actually two)
and focused on providing a life that’s rich.
Now it’s his turn to be firm
like making his son just dig a ditch.

Years passed, sixty to be exact and
the boy can see the man he is today,
with a family that grows, counting on fingers
and toes
knowing he's here to stay.

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Poems