To a Child Gone

I thought I was ahead of you in line.
You would take your turn
After I took mine,
Like we did before.

I guess you didn’t need new shoes
For starting heaven,
Or a light left on against the dark
The way I always did.
But I’m so used to parenting
I wanted to be there —
To do whatever needed to be done.

But you went first.
And now, my little one,
Suddenly you are my senior.
Morning, I know, will come.
But, bring close your light —
This time it is I who fear the night.

—Carol Lyn Pearson