These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Keeping the Maine Thing the Maine Thing

The daughter left upon the flight
of turbo engines in the sky.
Connection went so sweetly right
the trip then finished with a sigh.

The days to come of drama shows,
of hikes in woods, and newfound friends,
of things to do, that help her grow,
more lives out in the world to send.

The Maine thing is the Mainedest thing.
Blest times of camping, teaching souls
the greatest Acts in them to sing.
Sweet times of life toward reaching goals.

The daddy is not main this time.
He now returns to goals his own.
No sadness in this latest rhyme,
the blessedness of Joy now grown.

The parent’s job, the lasting truth,
“We teach a child to live apart
to follow goodness from her youth,
to follow God as from the heart.”

Today in Maine, the next somewhere,
of all the main things we must do.
To live in love, to fully care
is truly best for me and you.

“We work ourselves out of the job.”
The parent’s task is done when the child
can stand on her feet, returning Life’s lob
with truly great wisdom in her own words, mild.

on June 12th, 2025
by Jay O’Toole