“He’s just so bright”, they say
and you say, ‘thanks, I guess’ or ‘cheers’ and
you pretend to make no big deal of it.
It means nothing
(it means everything!)
See, the light went out, for you, a long
time ago – it stopped shining, after failure
upon failure, and too long taken
to do this, or not enough time left
to try that.

But the kid is bright. And he must
have got it from
somewhere.

You know the truth
(his mum)
but you bask in this glory
(your glory!)

Even when you’re done – when
your time is up,
a part of you will live on.
And he’s in with a chance.

Which means you’re in with
a chance – by default.
Via the son you’ll have a legacy
of sorts.

Which is why you had him!

(Not true, of course, but you will
settle for it, you will settle now;
you’re settled – and wow! – your kid
has a chance at something!!)

This realisation means something
(else…)

You’ve NEVER loved your wife
more
than right now…