I Am Not My Father: Generations Must Be Won

A child grows up and walks away.
What is his father then to say?
His words, his deeds, just like his dad,
To turn away seems oft so sad.

"I am not my father," says he
Knowing his father was not free.
His quest for freedom as a son,
For independence, has begun.

This means the old norms have to change.
The son, in turn, will rearrange
Life in a way that he sees fit.
Yes, he will change it bit by bit.

And then in turn, he has a son.
Another cycle, thus begun.
Yet his own son he may deny,
Even though he may not know why.

"I am not your father." He shows
That his life, he will not impose
Upon a child so innocent.
He walks away, their tie torn, rent,

Never again to be restored,
Without the mercy of the Lord.
But in his eye, there's still a tear,
He senses loss, the knowledge, fear.

He cannot ever leave his son,
His seed, whose life has just begun.
"I am my father." He must know
That like his father, he will show

That he cannot just walk away.
Since he's the father, he must stay.
"I am your father," he admits
And into his life, this son fits.

"I am my father, too," he says
And carries on throughout his days,
The same way that his father's life
Had demonstrated joy and strife.

Until his son too, will break free
In his own world, reality.
Generations, father to son,
Or son to father, must be won.

From generation to generation, fathers and sons need to work on their relationships.