For Dan
Where is the act of love to be placed
when we find our children are growing?
For each child must be weened
and that second weening...
they must do themselves
To experience the creation
of their independence
they must break the bonds
of their submissive respect
to the larger world without
And so, with their egos aflame,
they will scorch the earth
until they feel safe
to exist
in peace
There is not a correct act of love to give
other than that self same love
we've always felt
no, their challenge lies here
within us...
Not to reject them
because they push the buttons of our egos
Not to oppose them
because they must shed the dependence of the child
And Not to lecture them
in the arts of social dance
when they've just begun to stumble.
gallagher
11 August 84
for Danny
— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —