He stands on the edge
of
childhood
open wide
ready
to embrace the world
He balances between
me
and
them
ready
to let go
He straddles the vastness
of
the majestic Sierra
and the confines
of the salty shore
ready
to move forward
Confident
Certain
Shouting
“I am strong”
to the Paiutes who came before
and
they believed him
Jennifer Wolfe
Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.
Follow Me:
Comments: 24
Anna Garcia
February 20, 2012I Love Discovering Blogs And Seeing What They Loook Like . Cool Picture Of Your Son ! Anna
Kathy Radigan
February 8, 2012I love this picture, it’s just beautiful! And your poem is wonderful! I love to visit you and your wonderful writing!! Much love!
Jen
February 6, 2012I have a ten year old and I know this is soon in our future, but oh the flutters in my heart. Your poem is a beautiful way to express this transition.
http://www.practicallyperfectprincess.com/
Shannon Milholland
February 6, 2012Oh I love this: “He stands on the edge of childhood.” That is a powerful picture of those tumultuous tweenage years.
Sarah
February 6, 2012That is sweet you wrote a poem about your son. 🙂 Did you show it to him? Love the picture. 🙂
Jennifer Wolfe
February 21, 2012Thanks, Sarah. Yes, I did show it to him! He thought it was cool.
Rebel Sweetheart
February 6, 2012Love the poem, and the photo, too!
Jennifer Wolfe
February 6, 2012Thank you! I appreciate your feedback!
Alison
February 6, 2012Love that you write poems. I have long thought about doing it again and wondered if I would be good at it…..It’s so creative and an amazing medium to convey ideas and feelings. Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer Wolfe
February 6, 2012Hi Alison,
I definitely write more prose than poetry, but sometimes a poem just seems like the right medium for what I want to say. I like the freedom it gives me. You should try!
spanish4kiddos
February 6, 2012Very awesome poem. I love inspirational quotes and poems. Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer Wolfe
February 6, 2012Barbara, you’re so kind. I love inspiration, too!
The Pepperrific Life
February 5, 2012So profound and heartfelt. Your young man is doing a great balancing act. It’s sometimes tough to teeter between adulthood and boyhood. He owes his courage and confidence to you, of course.
Jennifer Wolfe
February 5, 2012Thanks, Pepper. He is doing a great job…I’m not sure how much credit is due to me-he’s one strong little guy.
My Inner Chick
February 5, 2012…””And they believed him.””
I Like It! xx
Jennifer Wolfe
February 5, 2012Thanks, Kim! It’s always great hearing from you.
Susan Kane
February 5, 2012What a lovely tribute to your son. So very true–balancing between the two worlds.
Jennifer Wolfe
February 5, 2012Yes, Susan, I really do see it as a time when they are torn between two worlds. It is a magical thing to watch.
Karen Dawkins
February 5, 2012Hi Jennifer,
I train new fifth-sixth grade Sunday School volunteers at our church. The one thing I tell them repeatedly is that middle schoolers have one foot in childhood and one foot in adulthood. They spend all their energy trying to balance between the two, wanting to let go and yet wanting to hold on.
This poem captures the balance beautifully — and hopefully!
LOVE IT.
Jennifer Wolfe
February 5, 2012Karen, this is such a tremendous age. I have spent my career with students from ages 12-15, and have loved watching my own kids move through it as well. That may sound weird to some – tweenage is not always the most pleasant – but to me it is simply fascinating. Thank you.
Dee
February 4, 2012Dear Jennifer,
This posting seemed so perceptive and observant to me. Within one child, past, present, future entwined. I praise his strength and his self-confidence.
Peace.
Jennifer Wolfe
February 5, 2012Dee, your comment is so appreciated. I am very proud of him – can you tell?
Perspective Parenting
February 4, 2012Awesome.
Jennifer Wolfe
February 5, 2012Thank you. That means a lot.