His face turns from its happy seal like form
Too hard as stone when his father enters the room.
He stands there back straight, with his brothers behind him,
Waiting for their forever-working father to say something, anything.
However, he only stares. His eyes swimming through his sons’ souls
For one tiny particle of courage, skill, or even trust.
Finally, his eyes stop upon Jeffrey, his eldest of three.
Only then does he speak.
Though what he is to say is already known.
The boys listen intently through their lecture even if
It is meant for only one. After their father is gone,
Jeffrey, the chosen one, becomes a ball of grief in the corner.
Henry old enough to understand goes to his side to comfort him,
Before his heart truly breaks. Their youngest brother,
Richard skips around the room, yet the force of his brother’s sadness
Starts to trap him. So he too goes to join their huddle.
To know your fate is maddening even if you yourself chose it.
It drains the excitement out of life quickly,
Like how the beating sun melts ice on a hot summers day.
Let your life unfold before you, don’t make every decision
Before you even know what to decide.