The Cottage

‘That's good’, I thought when first the word
Came to my ears – with joy I heard
We'll at his cottage spend some time
To celebrate our lives entwined.

For each of us holds in our hands
The cards we're dealt, each understands
First what they have, then takes a guess –
“What's now in play, held by the rest?”

For each hand played, a new mix makes;
High cards and low; some lucky breaks;
But that's just how it all starts out –
How hands are played – what life's about.

Most times we get a middling hand
Of middling cards with which to stand
Or fall each round, some gain some loss
Sometimes we bluff, or hold, or toss.

As children grow we must protect
Capacity to read, project
Their futures from the hands they’re dealt
Their strength of self, of what they’re built.

For each of us some strong card gets
Which can of future promise let
Us glimpse a way we could succeed
If we each round correctly read.

When just a child my second son
Lost belly laugh, stammers begun;
(Day care, though good, was not for him)
To change effects, we moved right in.

I quit my job; while he half-days
Was off to kindergarten's ways
Then afternoons we played and ran
Our bikes down hills, fast as we can.

With friends baked cookies one-foot wide;
In nearby woods we'd run and hide;
Sang songs, read stories, watched TV;
Nine months intensely – him and me.

By Christmas time his stutter went;
By end of June laugh’s ripples went
Resounding through our home once more;
Next year he strode out through the door.

His gentle ways from just a babe
With pets and people – friendships made
Which lasted tests of time and stress –
An awesome standard – friendship’s best.

Showed me a side of money is –
“To help out folks in living biz;
Love turns a dial, flood or restraint,
Both have their place, while pictures paint –

“Of who the giver is at base –
What motives held with poker face?
Does he for others really care?
Is he of others deep aware?”

As he’s grown older, wisdom's up –
For world out there can be quite rough
And knowing how to read one's friends
Is fraught with errors and amends.

So when I heard of party's place
I sensed in that his smiling face –
A chance to do what he does best –
Enable warmth and happy rest.

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