For Luca

happy birthday my sun

my son is 14

you remember 14
the edge of the barb
the soft tee
limits and invincibility
a backward glance

you remember 14


my son

has always had buddies
sports and balls
going in hoops
or up against walls
has always loved his mammas
walked the line with a dad
given his all
or downplayed his falls
he's been quick
with a wit
played licks on guitar
loved to keep rhythm
been my sweet star
my son is a baby
that dreams he's a man
and time is taking
him forward this lamb
he held my hand
gave me soft little pats
took care of a mom

*she got a bit fat
he ate only rarely
guzzled his milk
save him from lonely
his heart is his book



years go bye

14 may you feel the heat of time as nothing but so sweet
13 let it drop away, a time to pass the fears away
12 was all about guitar
11 you became a star
10 was when we moved again
9 the year your baseball was so very dear
8 oh 8 it was a hard year, mom was sick, we had no gear
7 you were in that play, i'll never ever forget that day
6 was happy, acting, ball playing bliss
5 at five i still got the public kiss
4 , now 4 was the time of imagination
3 was lots of running and animation
2 the time we cuddled and had fun
1 at one my life revolved around you son


we've had many days,no poem can funnel this
it's been your life passing like festival daze
but just the same my rock and goal
your life has graced me you tootsie roll