What Can I Teach You
My Son?
What can I teach you, my son,
Of those things
That you must know?
To be a man?
To meet the world
Not on its terms, but yours.
To do what’s right
No matter the cost.
Turn away when you should,
Stand up when you must.
Care for those you love
And for those who love you.
Respect only those who are deserving
And choose your friends wisely.
To be a husband?
To learn to love
And cherish her like no other.
Respect, care and protect her
As she never dreamed anyone would.
Commit to her forever.
Learn to touch and be touched,
Gently,
As she needs you to.
And always,
Always
Be there for her
Like no other
Could ever, will ever be.
To be a father?
To provide a strong shoulder,
A safe home
Secure from danger
Fear and confusion
Real and perceived.
Be the man in his life
And still be able to nurture him.
To show him the way
Between right and wrong
Even when you yourself are confused.
But most important,
Always be worthy
Of being looked up to
For, after all, he has no choice.
You’re a giant in his world.
But to be a son?
A good son?
That I can’t teach you.
I was a son once.
I tried to be a good son.
Success? I fear it eluded me.
But I did the best I could
With what I had,
Finding my own way.
Finally, perhaps too late,
Meeting my father
At a crossroad
And shaking his hand
As each son must someday do.
We both know,
If you choose
You can be a good father,
A good husband,
A good man.
Hopefully, you can learn many of these things
From me.
By seeing it done right
Or seeing it done wrong.
But to be a good son
You’ll need to ask your own questions,
Find your own answers,
And in the end
Learn by doing it yourself.
