When You Cry, I Come Running

A Poem

If you’re new to Raising Myles, Welcome!

I write letters to my newborn son, sharing my journey as a first-time dad and spreading the love I never experienced myself. You can read all the letters I have written to him [here].

Currently, I am taking a well-needed break, but so much is happening right now in our world, writing to my son, Myles seems to ground me. This poem below reminds me to cherish the tough moments.

See you all soon. Thanks for being here.

19 Months

Dear Myles,

when you cry,
I come running

for children who cry
whose parents 
cannot run
cannot hear—
parents no longer here
could not outrun bombs
could not quell flames

I am here
holding close
tears, memory, dreams—
fragile pieces
glass figurines

lest bomb, rain, flame come,
I run
like love will save you
knowing it did not
for others

when you run 
I cry 
for children 
for people 
for parents 
no longer
here 

I love you and there’s nothing you can do about it

Love,

Daddy

This poem was inspired by

Deirdre Lewis

’ piece called Fire Diaries

Go Fund Me List for Displaced families in AltaDena

World Central Kitchen

Incarcerated Firefighters

Pasadena Humane Emergency Fund for Rescues

Altadena Girls

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Let me know your thoughts:

1. How is your heart?

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Other poems I’ve written to Myles.

• Balm for Wounds: Apologizing in Advance

• Musings in the Backyard

• Sons of California and Palestine

• Tell them Where You’re From