Parental Advice

Photo: Meredith McKown
http://www.mckownphotography.com/index.html

Old souls behind

child eyes,

masters of power

in hand-me-downs.

When you reach low to

tie their shoes

remember to kneel in

respect.

Listen at least as often

as you tell.

Learn more than you teach.

Through their missteps, scrapes,

and tears, come to know

compassion.

Joining in their spirited play,

surrender to joy.

You’ve been blessed

with the holy sacrament

of tending –

Midwifing your own soul’s

rebirth.

© 2010-1209/Jamie K. Reaser

Published in "Note to Self: Poems for Changing the World from the Inside Out" 
Deep gratitude to Meredith McKown for sharing her beautiful photography

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