the pale son

the pale son
worries me at times.
so slender, so
on guard and
reluctant to share
too much, not
quite there, still
in that shadow
world of childhood,
and where he soon
must be.
it's awkward
for him, for me,
and we stumble
with our love.
i feel the pull
of him away,
as i bend towards
him to say goodbye,
unsure in this
new territory
of what to do,
what to say.