04 Dec My Boy

My Boy

The first time ever I saw your face,
Never thought the years would pass with such pace.
I looked into your blue eyes and thought my heart would melt,
I held you so close and thought how wonderful you smelt.

I would read you stories until you drifted off to sleep,
In the dark of the night, into my bed you would creep.
You would play in the garden, dance, sing and hum,
But many times all you wanted was your mum.

Running barefoot and laughing in the sea and sand,
Going for long walks, clutching so tightly my hand.
You made up your own words – ‘rabbit’ was ‘bobbit’!
Cuddled up watching films – Shrek and The Hobbit.

You would spot a helicopter and shout ‘rat tat’!
You loved our dear old Oscar, the family cat.
Now in your place I have this great youth,
Loud and aggressive, very uncouth!

Our home is filled with all of your mates,
All showing similar teenage boy traits!
I go into your room with a feeling of dread,
Never knowing what I might find under your bed!

Here, there, everywhere – going AWOL in your size 8 shoes,
On the Playstation – going into melt-down when you lose!
In Bentley Woods, messing about, getting into fights,
Whatever next? – you always take it to a new height!

Running up bills on my account on your mobile phone,
Always with your mates, never wanting to be alone.
Hosting lively sleepover parties galore,
Always guaranteed there will be a furore!

Polite to others, at home often rude,
Strutting around like some very cool dude.
But I am proud that you work hard at school,
Many would think that this was not so cool.

You are so determined in your quest,
To make of yourself the very best.
To lose that golden-haired boy wasn’t my plan,
But instead I now have this wonderful young man.

You no longer walk with me, holding my hand,
But beside you, I will always proudly stand.
In my life you play such a very big part,
Because Mattie, I love you with all my heart.

Written for Mattie Parke by Amanda Parke
October 2014