Stubborn in the set of his shoulders

rigid through the spine

and all of this seen and sensed from behind

known to me since before he was born

I didn’t need to look in his eyes

to know that this argument was not mine

so I gracefully cleared the court

changed the subject

moved on.

Sons,

no matter how old they become

some wars come down to small battles

high grounds have advantages

but retreats can be more tactical