I don't usually post anything personal, but...

[elderberrywine]

I normally use my LJ for posting fics rather than anything personal, but.

In honor of my older son's 18th birthday last week.


I am still in state of shock that that chubby-cheeked stubborn little creature actually managed to grow up while I had my back turned, and has been transformed into a very tall and handsome, intellegent, and above all, kind and gentle-hearted young man.

He is, above all else, car-obssessed, and almost never reads fiction for pleasure, despite having been read to most of his life. (The one exception, so far, has been The Complete Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which he sat down and polished off in about a week. He says it just seemed cool. All offers and/or bribes to read anything similar, or anything at all, however, have all been refused. Did I mention the stubborn part?)

But in 5th grade, when he was 10 years old, he wrote this poem. He actually wrote it in class, beacause both his teacher and I would have had a hard time imagining that he had done it otherwise. She showed it to me in disbelief, and we shook our heads and said, "Where did that come from?"

So I harbor a secret hope that, maybe in his second half-century, if not before, he will discover the joy writing can bring, as his mother did. Although I'm quite positive hobbits will not be involved, alas. Here it is, mistakes and all:

Birches

Watching them lean towards
the sun, towards the moon,
its shadow dancing with the
wind.

Birds in the nest upon the branches,
being rocked to sleep.

Hugging the ground when a storm
comes upon.

With sparkling crystals, a light gleams
into your eye on a bright morning.

A branch bends down towards the ground,
with a snip and a snap,
barely falling off when the wind blows high.

A seed drops down on the thick gleaming
snow, to a little grey squirrel that needs food to eat.

With blooming little buds and bright green
leaves, it seems like heaven has fallen
upon it.

Comments

[semyaza.livejournal.com]

Wow! That's pretty cool for ten years old. It's still in there somewhere, I'm sure, along with all the stories that were read to him (because I don't, for a second, believe that people can write well without having read or been read to).

[elderberrywine.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yeah, I hope that, after the car obsession dies down somewhat, he rediscovers his love of words. (And God knows I tried to indoctrinate him with the LOTR-lurve. Maybe that will kick in too, someday.)

[abby-normal.livejournal.com]

Okay, wow. I know you're very proud, love. Congrats to you on raising a young man who sounds entirely worthy of the love you so obviously have for him. Go, you!

[elderberrywine.livejournal.com]

Yes, I am at that. *beaming mom* And in two years, I'll tell you about my other son, when he reaches that milestone too.

They are my sweeties. *gets up on a ladder to pat their heads*

[carolina30363.livejournal.com]

Congratulations for you sweetie, and happy birthday to him!
*hugs to you both*

[elderberrywine.livejournal.com]

Thank you, my dear!

*hugs to you too*

[fictualities.livejournal.com]

Wow! That's really beautiful! (I wonder: does he listen to music a lot, particularly rap? He may be getting a LOT of verbal stimulation from the lyrics.) Congrats to you, and to him; with you as a mom he cannot be less than wonderful.

[elderberrywine.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Actually, at that age, he really hadn't listened to much in the way of music with lyrics - mostly classical at home, and classic rock in the car. Now he's into jazz or alt/emo. (And plays tuba in marching band, and trombone in jazz band, basically all self-taught!)

and aw! thanks, sweetie

[lbilover.livejournal.com]

That's a lovely poem. It's hard to believe your son was only 10 when he wrote it!

"Kind and gentle-hearted". I can't think of two more wonderful things to say about an 18 year old. He must be a pretty special young man and you have every right to be a proud mom.

[elderberrywine.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I've always told my sons that being smart or cute is great, but being a kind person is what I really want to hear. Musta worked.

[i-o-r-h-a-e-l.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is so beautiful. He must take it after his mom. My hugs to him. (Mm. His pic, maybe? ^^)

[elderberrywine.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, he does take after me in many ways, both good and bad. (That stubbornness thing?)

I don't have a digital camera, alas, but he is a cutie.

[frodosweetstuff.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday to the car-loving poet! *smiles*

I'm sure the LOTR love will surface one day!

[elderberrywine.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm amazed the poem didn't involve motor vehicles somehow. Unfortunately, he resists LOTR. Maybe someday. *sigh*

[frodosweetstuff.livejournal.com]

The longer I think about it, the more I think I would love to read a poem about motor vehicles.

Ah, don't worry. It's in his genes. He will like it one day. *hugs*

[illyria-novia.livejournal.com]

Eeeep! I love those last three lines! Congrats on being a mother to such a nice young man.

[elderberrywine.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm fond of that part too. He is a sweetie.

[hobbitdogs.livejournal.com]

Sweet. Glad I got to see him grow up for a part of the time. 18. That is really scary, as mine is a year behind. You did good.

[elderberrywine.livejournal.com]

*mwah*, you. Yeah, really scary to think that I have an "adult" kid. You'll see....

[chaos--chan.livejournal.com]

wow he write it wen he wars only ten? you have a very talentik son i think ^^

[elderberrywine.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I just hope he gives it a try again someday...

[willow-wode.livejournal.com]

That is very cool. Congratulations--it's quite the milestone, for him AND you!

[elderberrywine.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I guess all those sleepless nights and tearing out of my hair were totally worth it.

heh. just when they turn into great company, they move out on you. ah, well