A father’s note to a baby he once held

I already miss our time together,
Even though we’ve never been apart.
As the years pass by so quickly, I discover
Time flows in one direction on this path.

You won’t remember those formative years.
Where we would spend most of our time entwined,
But it’s something I hold on to so dear.
In every step I encourage you to take
Leaves me a little further behind.

I miss you needing me in the night
Or falling asleep upon my shoulder.
And the games that only we would play
Behind closed doors;
I couldn’t imagine you getting older.

Do you remember anything from back then?
When in your world, I sat so proudly at the centre.
Or is it just a memory captured by my pen?
I guess you only live as long as someone remembers.

I used to be your crutch,
but did you know that you were also mine?
You held me up long before those delicate legs could walk.
Made me look at myself with two futures combined.

I realise I will only be a father once
And you were, only for but a moment, a baby.
I will always worry — was I present, was I enough?
When just the presence of your light was enough to save me.

Sometimes, words write themselves.
For others, it’s a battle.
And occasionally, they are written with tears on the page.
These are the ones that are special.

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