Hard

coming to grips
with the fact
that I am
simply not perfect
i make mistakes
i fail sometimes
with things that
matter to me
even with hard
work even with
close watch kept
on those things
i fail sometimes
i make mistakes
simply not perfect
trying to be
okay with that
is really hard

My Brothers

They are so tall
It strikes me every time
One of them walks through a doorway
Impossibly tall
Inexplicably



They have always been
My favorite source of hugs
But hugs used to be
Chubby arms around my neck
As I lifted them
One or two at a time
And squeezed them tight
Now hugs are so often
Them humoring me



With their muscled arms
And their wall-like chests
It is completely disorienting
Because when they look me in the eye
I still see tiny little boys
Hiding in those manly faces



All those diapers I changed
Countless baths and hairwashes
Sweet smelling boys I read stories to
And sang lullabyes to
And tucked into bed



Now effortlessly lift heavy furniture
And charm teenage girls
And astound their oldest sister
They are just so tall