Jean McLeod's most recent poem to appear here was Eros (February 2013).
Prodigal
(For my beautiful grandson, Joshua, who has temporarily lost his way)
By Jean McLeod
Confusion replaces the bravado
of his triumphal door slam,
his face, a pale cast
of dread and regret.
Alone, he listens for dangers
he's not yet imagined,
his mother's promise of an open door
a ring-tone unanswered in this new dark.
He is innocent enough for each sunrise
to wash away the sins of yesterday
but isn't sure, yet, which he wants to keep.
He yearns toward illumination
he doesn't know he needs
to lead him, if not where he wants to go,
at least to where the slope is gentler.