Whose Child is This ?

"What a fine healthy lad you have there, Mam."
A phrase I heard over and over again.
The light of my life, So handsome and fine;
I took great pride in this child of mine.

Life

"What a strong attachment there seems to be;
Could that be unhealthy", they ask, "Not for me".
He needs my protection, This world is so cruel.
How precious my child - To me he's a jewel.

"About his temper, you say you don't mind."
A mere tension release, his way to unwind.
He's such a young fellow, no need for alarm.
My child will outgrow it, I can't see the harm.

"Hello, I'm your friend, I have a complaint.
Your teenager son shows a lack of restraint.
A lack of respect and a self-destruct leaning".
This can't be my child, he's barely past weaning.

Teenager Performing Stunt on Skateboard
The school board has called, another problem.
A student now claims my son tried to rob him.
My son, I must know, what they say, is it true?
I believe you my child, It could not be you.

He's been losing weight, looking pale and thin;
No longer clean and neat as he'd always been.
His actions at times uncontrollably wild.
What kind of phase are you in now, my child?

I hear the murmurings, rumors abound.
There's now a big problem with drugs in our town.
I question my son, his assurance I need.
He says that he's clean, and my child I believe.

The school board again, another mistake.
They say he has trouble just staying awake;
Disrupting his classes, and skipping for days.
My child is so sorry, and he'll mend his ways!

The headlines speak out the frightening news,
A gang of young hoodlums are out on the loose.
Breaking and entering-an organized ring.
Thank heavens my child wouldn't do such a thing.

A question begins to form in my mind.
Could it possibly be....could I be so blind?
I just can't believe I could be so beguiled;
Is it fear I might lose the love of my child?

Teen Gang Member


He's my little boy, I gave birth to him;
I have nurtured and love him through thick and thin.
My heart rejects he could be less than perfect.
With a mother's instinct my child I protect.

What's this I see, this paraphernalia,
while cleaning his room these things unfamiliar.

Hypodermic Needle
"Come see this, my son, what's this all about?"
My child says "don't worry" I'll just throw it out.

The evidence mounts. Are these stolen goods?
In our basement I find the loot of those hoods.
No hiding place now, the big confrontation;
And this time my child has no explanation.

Little by little the full truth comes out.
"But mom, there's not that much to worry about.
So I stole a few things and took a few drugs;
But I love you, mom..." from my child a big hug.

How can I condemn this man-child of mine?
My mind wants to live in that happier time
When I held him and rocked him and dreamed a dream
Of my child at the end of the rainbow's beam.

Mother and Baby in White
The truth is so ugly, how can I face it.
It's etched on my heart; Oh, God, please erase it.
Where did I go wrong, such a burden this blame,
As I try to protect my child from this shame.

Deep into the pit he plunges headlong,
With me right behind him; I'd raised him all wrong.
The mother/protector no longer exists,
It's me and my child now, both in the pits.

In my despair I tried so hard to pray.
Why doesn't God hear me and take this away?
As I fill all my prayers with "I, Me, and MY",
I'm destroying my child; God, could this be why?

"My child" I keep saying, My child, just mine.
My Lord are You saying Not my child but Thine?
I thank you Dear Lord, and from this day I vow
To relinquish my hold- Lord, he's your child now!"

written by me dear friend

Joann Caldwell
to her beloved son

images courtesy of all posters