Growing Child Matures Poem by Stephen Parker

In silted apron blossoms baby
Incubating heat fondles canopy
From leafy trelis sprouts progeny
With briny tears, warmth grows quickly

Acorn melded to fertile tree
Succoring streams flow freely
Ballasted perch shared dutifully
Fragile shell tendered stem's realty

Paternal arms clasp twig-end tightly
Structural beams foster stability
Nutrients funnel expanding the cavity
Well-rounded hull with shared identity

Truant winds the bond doth atrophy
Shaking strands that clutch lovingly
Ripening acorn longs new vistas to see
With heavy heart falls from caring tree

Dry, barren ground leaches each gratuity
Rotting leaves fondle cavity incessantly
Surface ambitions soiled by limited mobility
Predatory marauders pilfer each, bright opportunity

Acorn will not stray far from security
Paternal shadow hovers patiently
With overarching wings shield calamity
On trials, trickle down tears of empathy