sonnyboy approaches 12

I watch his body's
metamorphosis
from boy to man

all three changed
from infant to child
before my eyes
but my older two
hid man
beneath their clothes

I only caught glimpses
of chest hair
thickening shoulder
lengthening thigh

not this one

everyday his flesh
is unfairly displayed

I count
each pubic hair
worried how
this natural growth
will affect
diaper changes

he has some acne

it is not right
to have to use
diaper cream
pimple medicine
on one person

his voice is deepening
soon
he will grow beard
thick muscle
denser bone

I have always called him
Big Man
he is ready
to soon fulfill
that prophecy