Prayer by Kevin Arnold - Your Daily Poem

Prayer
by
Kevin Arnold

My son is in up to his thighs,

trying to muster the courage

to swim to a raft in a mountain lake.

He doesn't see me

watching from the hotel

half-submerged in a hot tub.

I fight the urge to jump up and

race alongside him while I still can.

I'd yell Go Scotty-boy you can do it!

Instead, as I crowd the warm-water

jets with my joints, I pray.

May he get where he wants to go.

Not long after, as the water soothes me,

he raises his arms and dives in,

strong sure strokes toward the float.

Kevin Arnold holds an MFA in Creative Writing from San Jose State University. His newest book is Do Not Think Badly of Me (Manzanita Writers Press). Kevin was named "Writer of the Year" by the California Writer's Club. He lives in the San Francisco Bay area, where he enjoys enjoys skiing, horses, competitive tennis, and duplicate bridge. Learn more about him at www.kevinarnoldauthor.com.

Donna Pflueger:
With this poem, you brought back memories of my father and I know in my heart, if he were alive, he would still be wishing the same wonderful prayer for my brother and I. Thank you, Kevin.
Posted 06/15/2013 11:50 AM

Bronwen:
The prayer any parent has for their child. Lovely!
Posted 06/15/2013 10:51 AM

pwax:
A good poem for Father's Day. Non-sentimental, yet the emotion is clearly there.
Posted 06/15/2013 09:33 AM

Janet Leahy:
"May he get where he wants to go," a lovely prayer, from a father to son.
Posted 06/15/2013 07:16 AM

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