If I Had Only Known Then

For Given

 

If I had only known it then

I would have held you on my lap

And read that book from start to end

Forgetting it was time to nap.

 

The whole day long we’d sing and play,

If I had only known it then.

I would have held tight to that day

Now only a memory of when…

 

So many last times came and went

My love for you though never spent.

If I had only known it then

My time with you could now begin.

 

The secrets I would never miss.

The bloody knees that I would kiss.

I wish I had that time again

If I had only known it then.

Author's Note

I wrote this with the kyrielle style in mind. It has a sliding refrain and yes, I know that I took some liberty with it. The poem is about my son, soon to be 17, and so close to my heart, but some how so distant in his own life.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

A excellent poem. Our children grow so quickly. I spend all my free time with my children. Now I'm happy I did. Not much time for the old people now. Many strong lines made this a sad and beautiful poem to read. Thank you.
Coyote

[Stacey Watts]

Very beautiful piece. It is hard to see children grow up. I know all the little things you take for granted are the things that you miss the most. Absolutely a wonderful piece. Very well done.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

That is really precious... what wonderful sentiment that truly shows your love for your son... Life is full of those moments we don't treasure till they stop and it seems we never learn... I am sure he love you just as much but is now discovering a whole new world as well... really beautifully done.

[Big ol' Kahuna]

Wow, this is really good and special. Hard to keep from tearing up. So many people will be able to relate to this as well as it speaks volumes to the way time just flies by so fast in our lives. It is always like come on I want to be 18 and then, wham! Where does the time all go?
He is such a great young man. He will never know how we feel until he has one of his own and sees the same flow of time go by. Beautiful sentiment.
Also I am impressed with the flow and rhyme of this work. Content, flow, great read. I believe this is my favorite poem I have ever read of yours.
You should show him so he can flash you a smile, say "yea", and then watch him take a sandwich to his room.
Good job baby. Really outstanding.

[J Carly]

this is beautiful, not only in style, but also in sentiment. We all take liberty, when necessary, to express such deep emotions as you have captured in this piece. It was bittersweet, and lovely. I wasn't sure exactly what you didn't know then until the end, and reading your note. There was a sense of loss that came through so clearly, though. Well done.