Beloved Son

by Liz Johnston
Proudly, forever, Jordan's mom

How could I have known--
back then--
back when I called you my angel baby
and you’d look at me with love from those wide watery eyes;

How could I have known--
back then--
back when I called you my little bean
and you’d bounce and run with constant curiosity;

How could I have known--
back then--
back when I called you my beautiful boy
and you’d pull away as I sniffed your curls that smelled of sun;

How could I have known--
back then--
back when I called you my favorite man in the world
and held your soft hand while you slept, scared.

How could I have known--
back then--
that I’d need to bottle each of these sweet memories,
that one day they would be
all that I have of you,
my beloved son.