on the occasion of taking my son to the airport

The embrace changes

Imperceptibly but unmistakably

He comes to you

Your arms outstretched they invite him in

It’s a call with wrapped arms as celebration

Beckoned he toddles toward the first one you give

The embrace changes

Imperceptibly but unmistakably

She runs to you

Lungs never quite full enough to howl

It’s a comfort squeezing darkness and pain away

Your arms the mop for spilled tears

The embrace changes

Imperceptibly but unmistakably

I hugged you through the new backpack

I hugged you till teasing stopped

I hugged you and monsters under beds disappeared

I hugged you so that standing in the corner meant something other than disdain

I hugged you at first out of wonder

Then out of worry

Then out of compassion

Then responsibility

I hugged you

The embrace changes

Imperceptibly but unmistakably

He limps off the field

Bravery is a thin disguise with his full weight on your shoulder

It’s only one arm and he won’t accept the other

The extent that pride will allow him

The embrace changes

Imperceptibly but unmistakably

The one that I’m used to

Is the one that I give

The one that you give

Is now the way we let go

And it is the one

That I’m not getting used to

The embrace changes

Imperceptibly but unmistakably

He stands at the gate

Blinking you whisper something both will soon forget

But not the recognition

That every next together will end with a hug

Apart

The embrace changes

Imperceptibly but unmistakably