avatarJen Kleinknecht

Summary

A parent reflects on the bittersweet milestone of their child losing his last baby tooth, symbolizing the end of his innocence and the parent's active role in creating childhood magic.

Abstract

The poem "Growing Up" captures a poignant moment in a parent's life as their son loses his last baby tooth, marking the transition from childhood to adolescence. The parent exchanges the tooth for a five-dollar bill, pondering if this will be the last enchanting act they perform for their child. The narrative shifts to the parent's introspection about the rapid passage of time, from the son's gestation to his current independence, and the complex emotions that arise as the child navigates social interactions, such as interpreting a frowning emoji in a game chat. The parent is struck by the duality of pride and nostalgia, recognizing their child's growth while mourning the fleeting nature of his early years.

Opinions

  • The parent views the loss of the last baby tooth as a significant and sentimental rite of passage for both the child and themselves.
  • There is a sense of nostalgia and wistfulness for the parent, who is acutely aware of the fleeting nature of childhood and their role in nurturing it.
  • The parent finds both joy and a tinge of sadness in their child's social and emotional development, as seen in the interpretation of the frowning

Growing Up

A free-verse poem

Photo by Garrett Jackson on Unsplash

“Mom, I lost my tooth!” My son smiled As he proudly deposited The bloody relic of his childhood In a sandwich bag. The last baby tooth. We tucked the bag under his pillow And waited for the tooth fairy to come One more time.

The next morning I kissed his cheek While he slept. A youthful innocence Lingered on his face. With sleight of hand I snuck a wrinkled five dollar bill Under his pillow And grabbed the bag with the tooth. Could this be The last magic trick I perform for my son?

He is my world, my only child. Wasn’t it yesterday I made a home for him in my body? Now he stands shoulder high And asks me what it means When a girl puts a frowning face In the Roblox chat When he has to leave the game. “It means she’s sad to see you go,” I say.

So am I, baby. So am I.

Poetry
Childhood
Motherhood
Parenting
Parenthood
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