Hand-Me-Down of Hand-Me-Downs

featured in the book Good Day with the art of Gale Whitman

It is privilege beyond merit
to see a hand-me-down of hand-me-downs
of shell and flesh security.

Hand-Me-Down of Hand-Me-Downs

Bob Komives

 

It is a hard moment
when first we reflect upon the hug we give
where always we would get one,
and then upon the hug we get
where always we would give one.
It is a hard notice
when we note what our parents no longer do
and we see our own hesitations become noticed.
' hard to be children of aging parents.
' hard to be parents of watching children.
' hard to be more adept,
stronger,
smarter in skills and gadgets of life
than they who were always most adept.
' hard to see our reflections in eyes of children
as they search for cracks
that might remain of gaps
that were their disadvantage in skill and wisdom.

Those months were precious
when acceleration by youth
preempted deceleration by age;
when we grew together,
caught up while catching up,
as child walked with parent and child
at the same speed to the same place;
when, up and down, across generations
we could give and take advice in equal measure,
and we could argue without threat.

Now, after short months and long years,
it is an easy moment
to reflect on the privilege in seeing this all
--a wealth in gifts not ordinary.
And extraordinary it would be
to live the opportunity
to see these gifts pass on.
For, by good fortune,
time may show what times have told:
It is privilege beyond merit
to see children of our children
watching parents
watching parents
as some of us children grow old.

Bob Komives :: Fort Collins © 2000 :: Hand-Me-Down of Hand-Me-Downs :: 0004