One of my son’s stranger behaviours
is to feel hair, fingernails, toenails
as sensitive, like another body part.
So if you cut his hair, it harms
him and, next, a howl of torture
upsets all the neighbours
like I, his loving parent, would injure him
when a tuft tumbles his blue jumper
or a fingernail leaps.
To lose a part of you inevitably,
well, that’s a painful moment for anyone
although, some would claim
in a patronising voice
‘It’s an act of love
to lose what’s not needed.’
Easy to say when your hair and nails
don’t have nerves and, afterwards,
my child is like that
ReplyDeleteThe mind, the pain is Real to him but if you cut it secretly he wouldn't feel a thing? Staggering, incomprehensible. When I got cut off from my old twitter account (1awakening) my howls may have awakened the neighbors. & that green stump still aches & stings
ReplyDeleteI have always wondered why boys cry when their hair is being cut or their nails. I wonder if it's the fear of losing something or a fear of being cut by the tool being used.
ReplyDeleteThere's hardly a greater hurt than seeing hurt in your child, real, imagined, physical, or emotional. Well said.
ReplyDeletewonderfully well written Triple W from me
ReplyDeleteGreat last stanza. Is it love? a loved one? a sentimental thing? All of the above I guess. Yes, those who are insensitive and those who have healed over time bring no relief to the moment of loss - Like Nietzsche to a child.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! My youngest grandchild was like that. Lovely moment you've given us - thanks!
ReplyDelete