My Son
I gave him vegetables and vitamins,
barefoot days at Sandy Beach
and Mount Juneau’s granite peak.
I gave my son a universe of books.
Now, he wants a world
of justice and compassion.
Each workday at noon, my son
stands at the Capitol, holding
a hand-lettered sign. He wants
healthcare for all, funds for education
and action on climate change,
things I can’t give him.
But he’s not giving up.
He raises his voice
at the town hall meeting
and brings his young daughter
to the Women’s March.
My son gives me resolve
to write a letter,
make a call,
keep doing my job as his mother.
-Diane DeSloover
The Capital City Weekly accepts submissions of poetry, fiction and nonfiction for Writers’ Weir. To submit a piece for consideration, email us at editor@juneauempire.com.
