The Eyes of Mathew.

I am Mathew now,
for I have seen the outside world 
without the hand of my mother.
I see differently now into the eyes of my father.
Like a hawk with new feathers, 
looking back at the nest after his first flight.
And he looks differently at me.

I know now what it means to be away 
from my home and my room and toys.
I know now what it means to yearn for home and family 
and to be too tired to play once I get there.
I know now what it means to look into the eyes 
of the energetic and the brokenhearted.
Like a pirate coming home from his first voyage.
Stronger, less timid but happy to see land.

My father can see the difference in my eyes.
He can see the hope
that maybe someday, 
I will be battle-ready.
and his throat closes
and his breath quickens
and his heart lightens.
He knows now, that someday, 
we can be battle weary,
together.