Emergence

A boy or man

the competition rages its war

within you

it matters not the momentary winner

this race was rigged from the start

man is always the victor

in these things

free will is an illusion

only man can cross the finish line

~~~

Outside your body continues its metamorphosis

oblivious to the boyish grin

I glimpse beneath the screen

or the childhood toys still

scattered across the floor

your shoulders already broad

voice husky

no longer crackling

~~~

Inside our home

heavy set footsteps fade up the stairs

and a "goodnight mom" is the

usual exchange

but tonight you linger in

the hallway

the boy is there again

my boy

the one with the dimpled cheek

~~~

"Can you sing Gypsy Rover, mom?"

he asks softly

and suddenly there is no man

the past and the present

converge within the space of one breath

a moment out of time

of hair rubs and a goodnight song

and a universal mother's love

for her son