Thought Prints

By Grace Druyor

My thought prints indelibly inscribed

Upon Bill’s brain, scare me

When I hear his small mouth

Spouting them at the world,

Assured that they are RIGHT!

Neither can I shield him from

Views opposed to mine.

The time is nigh for trusting

Values taught, I let him go—

A prayer with my good-bye.

Now I’m surprised to hear fledgling

Ideas as he returns today.

Bill’s voice, acquiring new tone,

Is teaching me, and pressing back

Against my tough mind

An imprint of his own!