The Eyes of Youth

Sweet sky and sun that seem

to reach through covering

of stern belief holding youth 

to black or white or sometimes 

gray of doubt. Unlock his mind 

to find its own young simple way.

His genes are good, his aims
are high, he needs to be released 

to try, and if he falls

it only adds to his resolve

to try again. Some say 

it is our failures that teach us 

to be strong. I only know 

there is a special haunting look

of dreams in his young eyes

a straightened back of courage

and grip of reason in his hands.

He will do well 

if he can make more good choices 

on his own.