Just enough
How our older son helped his brother learn to trust
It’s too much I imagine
him saying with words
he does not yet have
too much to be held
too much.
Strange man I don’t know
foster dad who are you
I don’t want to be here
it’s too much.
We try walking instead
a few steps
then he stops
plants himself on the ground
and waits.
He is done for
now it’s too much.
Do not hold my hand
do not lift me up
do not look at me.
It’s too much.
We wait.
He reaches his hand
the one he took back
from me
he reaches it out
to you to hold.
As he rises his eyes
focus on your smile
big brother you are
just enough.
With you he knows
he is safe
no fear he will rise
and walk
just enough.
With each step by
your side he dismantles
too much
learns just
enough
and eventually over time
more.
First published by Drunk Monkeys, July 18, 2022.
About the Creator
F Cade Swanson
Queer dad from Virginia now living and writing in the Pacific Northwest. Dad poems, sad poems, stories about life. Follow me on insta at @fcadeswanson
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Comments (2)
well ... there's my first tears of the day 🩷 Adore this poem and everything it represents! Thank you for this tiny snippet and window into your beautiful family! It was so lovely! 🩷
Aw gosh, there’s so much sweetness in this poem