ULTIMATE PROTECTION

by Joanne Green

I monitor the foods he eats, 

That he will grow up strong. 

I guide his moral development

By teaching right from wrong. 

I dress him warm on colder days, 

And of course we immunize. 

I teach him rules of safety to 

Ensure his choice is wise. 



If only I could hold a shield 

To turn all hurts away

I'd stand a martyr's vigilance

And protect him night and day!

But there comes a time when it no longer

Does him any good

That I continue to hold the shield

That he more appropriately should.



And that becomes especially true

When peer relations start;

When hurts don't hurt his body so much

As they truly hurt his heart. 

I could protect him - hold the shield -

Turn slandering others away

Or I could pass the shield to him

To keep the darts at bay.



When comments hurt my little boy

I die a bit inside. 

But when I see him face his pain

I understand with pride.

Ultimately the battle is his

And he will learn to deal

With ugly words and painful wounds

That he alone must heal.

I want always to protect him,

And I know I always will, 

But the best way to protect him 

Is to provide him with that skill.

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"Dots" enough? Onward to the site map!

Hope you'll be in touch

Joan Fleitas, Ed.D., R.N.
Assistant Professor of Nursing, Fairfield University
Fairfield, Connecticut 06430

Last updated: January 24, 2000