Love Poem: Tough Love
Arlene Smith Avatar
Written by: Arlene Smith

Tough Love

Tough Love
Sometimes with such strict parents, a tendancy to lend;
overlooking boundaries crossed to be your child's best friend.
I love my son with all my heart just as he does his mother.
Tho the path that he was taking; I just could not go further.
Stunned and hurt when I said, "You have to leave my home."
He wasn't his kind loving self; always drunk or stoned.
I held myself together; to his back I closed the door.
Then litteraly went to pieces falling to knee's upon the floor.
I knew he would end up in prison or maybe even dead,
if he could not shake the demons messing with his head.
It took everything inside me to stick to my decision.
I wanted to run after him, again to him be pleasing.
With tear stained face and puffy eyes I prayed with all my might,
" Please Lord spare me the dreaded phone call that comes so late at night."
Only twice I've heard God's voice aloud, not just a sign.
He said as clear as crystal, "Don't worry about him." "He's mine."
Immediatly I ceased to cry, such comfort in those words.
I know God deals with us best when we are at our worst.
Driving late he had a wreck; two poles ran through his truck.
It was him left praying on his knees; survival was not luck.
The poles crisscrossed around his neck tho he was never touched.
Three inch splinters in his hoodie; didn't miss him much.
The road was rocky coming back but thank the Lord he made it.
God's protective hands covered him; so near a death evaded.
My parents too strict then I too laxed; he's balanced tween the two.
A wonderful husband and father; he began his life anew.
The hardest decision I ever made but I thank God above;
my precious son now understands why I chose tough love.