Empty Nest


Before you, there was only me
my music, my education, my romance, my hobbies, my books, my flights of fancy,
then marriage and career,
but then you.

When you arrived, I traveled to Mars,
uncharted territory, without a map,
new landscapes.
Finding my footing seemed more difficult every day,
where was the smooth sailing ?

Now I see from afar you were teaching me along the way,
how to cope, how to adapt, how to change,
how to be
outside of me.

After you, there was no more me,
but a better me, a richer me, a wiser me,
A me with depth, and a me with optimism,
and a new set of eyes looking at the world through yours,

Incredible riches I didn't  notice,
Or maybe I just forgot.
What I see before me through your eyes,
no book or wish or dream could match the adventure.

I thank you for the journey.

And now you have taken off to find your path,
alone on the new road with no map...

But I'm on your shoulder
a mother at peace,
Proud,
Content,
Excited for the you yet to be.                                               Donna Ragland Greene