Growing

A boy and girl

Longed for a surprise

That came with

the birth of a child

They had joy

And a boy

Even if all he did was cry

A man and wife

Bought toys

For their little boy

And painted his room blue

They bought loads of clothes

For a 3 year old

Who started talking much too soon

A father and mother

Took their son to be in a parade

Because the boy was smart

And had made all a’s

There he saw her finger

And thought the ring must have slipped away

A man and woman

Spoke to their child

Like he was grown

And the man showed him

The house on the weekends he would come

The boy held his peace

Because at least the stalemate would cease

But he also knew about

The night with police

Two people had a son

Who finally turned 13

Finally able to hold his own gun

Wanting to aim at anyone

He heard the quiet noises

Floating from her room

Opening up his bedroom window

Into the night he moved

A man who knew a woman

Who had a son

Who had gotten good grades

Left headed for college

Fast as a getaway

They had a dorm room party

His first night away

He loved the release

The drinks

Burned going down

Two people

Got two phone calls

At sunrise

They had to plan a funeral

Because they knew a boy

Who this morning had died