14 on the 14th
Son this will never happen again!
So let’s mark the day well yeah?
Tomorrow, you’re turning 14.
On the 14th!
Yet you look to me like you stopped time
Taller yes but the rest of you looks the same
Like you’re still seven or nine.
This year though marks a new milestone
Secondary school and more responsibilities.
Son, you need to grow up fast
To know the ropes and how to last
The distance because the road ahead’s rougher
You’ll need to be a whole lot tougher.
New subjects, new faces
New teachers, new places
New routines, and new routes too
You’ll need to go to school on your own soon
So daddy can sleep in a little longer
Stop rising with the moon.
Yes tomorrow you’ll be 14 on the 14th
While I’ll be 55
Hoping I’ll stay alive
To see you turn 24, 34, 44…55?
On the 14th of each year
On many, many more 14ths
For many many more years!
To watch you grow
Be the man you’re meant to be
Striding confidently through this world
Unafraid and full of joire de vivre
So I can then heave a sigh and go
To where our Lord’s prepared for me
Knowing you’re alright
Then I can sleep through the night
For good.
Happy 14th Birthday C!
Beautiful, Kelvin. Beautiful.