“Empty Words, To Some” by Rae Cobbs

193 Replies

I wrote a poem for the way my son
communicates with me. It isn’t that
he doesn’t speak, but more about the fact
he doesn’t know to tell the truth from lies.

It made me sad to write it down. So tired,
I crawled into my bed. I couldn’t dream
him well. So I am inching out these words
professing that I love him still. He won’t

impress most people with his cocky grin,
the grimaces of sliding what he thinks
into the air, but others know he’s grown
from a destructive force into a man.

We think we might’ve figured out a point
to help him understand how limits make
you strong. We manage not to let him down
by giving up, so he will make a choice.

And when he fails, we fail. We talk until
our anger threatens to destroy the trust.
When he says, “Thank you, Mom. I’ll see you soon,”
to hear his confidence emerge, I’m won.

-Rae Cobbs

193 thoughts on ““Empty Words, To Some” by Rae Cobbs”

  1. Jason

    I hope you don’t think this is just “comment reciprocity,” (I didn’t see the name until I read his the 2nd time) but this is a very moving poem. In the 24hour turnaround, it is hard enough to get something compete, and maybe craft some sound and imagery in the message, but this goes past that to evoke a real human relationship. Really fine work.

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