The Weight

One needs it, doesn’t one: the weight

Of responsibilities to keep one earth-bound

From flying away into the stratosphere

Difficult to understand? Confusing?

Responsibilities are a measure of importance

Being needed; they are not age-bound

But seem to multiply as one ages

Amasses time. Families grow and go their own way.

The parent or parents say, are we needed?

The response, depending on mood or temperament

Can go either way: K’off or yes, all my life

Something I’ve learned; they’re yours through the storms

The calm, the rain and the sunshine; the good or the bad

For better or for worse, richer or poorer. Does relating to them

get easier? Yes, no and who-are-you-kidding. They enter the world

Of challenges, and soon learn to present some of their own

A parent can ask, “Am I needed?” Is the answer obvious?

Need emotional insurance? You were responsible for remembering

Their birthdays? Yes? Can't stop doing that. Can I? Can I stop worrying

About them? What was your promise? To love and hold this day forth

Until I meet eternity? Something like that. Yes. I need weights

To keep me earth-bound, from flying into the stratosphere, and wanted

And needed; to be a person of importance to someone else.