Those years I lived from inside out
spent trembling in the winter’s sun
seem distant now

I hardly can recall,
the race of my young heart
the terror of being unlike the rest
the rage of youth as we’d stampede
then settle down to homework’s tasks

In our innocence we believed
our generation was different from the rest
and for a brief moment in time
we made “peace on earth”
and felt one with humanity
inside the safety of our parents nest

As time passed
we left to roam the country side
running from or searching for ourselves
while our brothers and our neighbors sons
roamed the jungles
sworn to protect a sacred trust
“God and Country”
I remember when
those words were a just call to arms

Both armies, those in jungle boots,
and those barefoot in bellbottom jeans
took casualties
from friendly fire and their enemies
some crashed and burned
some wear the scars today
those terrible times, those terrible years

And now well past
the age as teens, we swore we’d never trust
I live this life from the outside in
and watch my two sons grow

I try, to filter out
those times of tumult we lived through
so I can clearly see
the race of their young hearts
the terror of being unlike the rest
the rage of youth as they stampede
then settle down to homework’s tasks
inside the safety of their parent’s nest

My workday problems seem remote.
As the snow falls outside my window,
Tea too hot to drink, grows cold, untouched
as the last page of my book is turned.

The quietness of this snowy day,
stolen from a hectic week,
is shattered periodically,
by the shrieks, shouts and bangs
from far off rooms.

These sounds, like first tremors of an impending quake,
culminate in the appearance of my two young boys.
with tear stained eyes and unwiped noses,
they stand and plead their case.

With the foolishness of Solomon,
and the wisdom of Lewis Carol.
I meet out justice from my easy chair.
Distraction more than penance the effective tool,

We feast on peanuts,
Nuts fetched by the elder child.
Bowl brought by the younger.
We shuck and toss the shells into the bowl
with varying degrees of success.

With full bellies and giggles from my hugs and kisses,
They run drop and slide on the polished wood floors,
back to the den to resume the building of their castle,
made from couch pillows, chairs and blankets.

Dispute forgotten, their laughter in the background
like the sound of a waterfall
I sip some cool tea and close my eyes.
My wife arises, sleepy eyed from a nap on the couch,
to see our youngest appear from behind the bathroom door.
With pants around ankles and a wide grin he hops into the room.
And proudly shouts, “I missed”
As the Sun sets, I bid my chair and lazy day adieu and say,
“No, honey, I’ll get it.