On one side of the world, a child wakes up,
makes his breakfast, proudly dressing in his favorite red shirt,
mismatched socks and a baseball hat.
Growing older, growing up.
On one side of the world, a child doesn’t sleep,
puts on headphones, drowning out gun shots ricocheting outside the window,
tear-drenched pajamas and soiled sheets.
Growing older, growing up.
On one side of the world, a child readies for school,
ties his shoelaces, jams crayons and books in a bulging backpack.
Blue lunchbox, sliced apples, and a special treat.
Growing older, growing up.
On one side of the world, a child readies to flee,
ties his shoelaces, jams sweaters and a stuffed bunny in a bulging suitcase.
Pockets filled with bandages, Tylenol, and a bar of soap.
Growing older, growing up.
On one side of the world, a child kisses his mother,
laughing, giggling, pretending to wipe his cheek
as he says goodbye.
Growing older, growing up.
On one side of the world, a child kisses his father,
crying, pleading, placing father’s cheek to child’s
as they say goodbye.
Growing older, growing up.
On one side of the world, a child returns home,
nestling closer, comforted by the warmth of his mother’s embrace,
retelling the day of teasing, learning, playing, singing.
Growing older, growing up.
On one side of the world, a child can’t return home,
comforts of bed and a father’s embrace left only in the remnants of dreams,
retelling the day of running, hiding, crying, praying.
Growing older, growing up.
On one side of the world, a child looks at the bright blue sky,
determined to rush time, wondering how soon he can start
growing older; how soon he can start growing up.
On one side of the world, a child looks at the bright blue sky,
determined to stop time, wondering how soon he can stop
growing older; how soon he can stop growing up.
Rabbi Nicole Guzik is a rabbi at Sinai Temple. She can be reached at her Facebook page at Rabbi Nicole Guzik or on Instagram @rabbiguzik. For more writings, visit Rabbi Guzik’s blog section from Sinai Temple’s website.
