Second Childhood
Sometimes I find myself
toddling again, shaky
on my fat little legs,
holding onto mama’s apron
to keep my balance, though
she’s been gone forever.
Can crawling be far
behind? Potty training,
diapers, someone to wash
my hair with baby shampoo,
no tears? The difference is,
this time I’m the one
who’ll do the shampooing.
I’ll pat my own back,
put me to bed & read me
a story. Then I’ll sing me
to sleep & leave a light on
for when I wake in the dark.
11 thoughts on "Second Childhood"
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To begin with you have a perfect title. The poem is straightforward and accessible but oh my goodness, that last line is tough. Tough as in it’s good, it’s true and it provides the turn the poem needs.
This poem speaks to me
So much theme! Nostalgic too without being overdone. I often think about the cyclical nature of our time on this Earth and how to describe it. You’ve done it. Thanks.
Ditto to all of the the above. The last stanza and line !
That waking in the dark is dreamy. What an ending. Bravo.
Kevin, what a wonderful poem. Sometimes I think we progress (regress?) from 2nd childhood to 2 babyhood. Then of course, it’s not me doing the shampooing. I’m in 2nd childhood now and wonder what’s next.
We’re all Benjamin button in some ways. I love that last stanza.
So relatable – to me this captures the pondering of those of us who are our age, accepting that there might not be a partner by our side at the end and yet taking care of ourselves just as our parents did for us. The last line is perfect – captures the dark side of such pondering. Bravo!
So solitary but amazingly comforting!
Relatable. Just talking with my sister in law about these thoughts.
I would add that I sing myself to sleep.
I like this. Makes a nice circle