I see the boy in you

As you sit
Rooted in your chair
Making declarations
I see the boy in you
Softly smiling
Watching his feet dangle below.

I try to listen
To you
As you build up your walls
But I giggle to myself
When I see his tiny hands
Turning white
As he pulls himself up.
I see only his eyes
Peering at me
From the other side
Asking me to stay.

You play it cool
And he dances.
You lie
And he lets me know.
You rage
And he weeps.

And sometimes
When I’m very lucky
I see you both
Acting in the same moment.
It is those times
That keep me coming back.
It is in those moments
I know you
Because you know you.

And when that little boy is sad
And sitting in the corner
I want to be there
For him.
So he can crawl into my lap
And bury his face in my sweater.

I want to keep him warm
And kiss his forehead
And tell him how beautiful his tears are.

And when he’s ready
I’ll send him back to you
Lighter and brighter
And ready
To dance.