When Kevin went and legged it down the lane,
I found my limbs were sadly not as long
as time had made my life; now not so strong
and fast to last the course, or free from pain.
The passing count of years keeps silent score -
his little laughing life will run away
in some unguessed-at fated later day
when I can't meet his needs, not any more.
I asked for him to have a better life,
and saw the early steps towards that aim;
but urgently return to play the game,
as Isaac takes to Abraham the knife.
God spare our children; take our faults away,
before we leave them lone to face the day.