Justin Enns

You’re eighteen! An adult in most of the books
You’ve formed your opinions and settled your looks
You’ve learned how to act and to dance many dances
Learned how to be safe and how to take chances

You know how to work, you’re very meticulous,
Silly and thoughtful and sometimes ridiculous.
Tattooed yet tender, you have a soft heart
And I hope there’s still time to make drawings and art

And soon, I imagine, you’ll move far from home
Maybe to Edmonton, England, or Rome.
Wherever it is, it’s going to be hard
But wonderfully worth it; just be on your guard!

It’s tough to be grown up, with all of the cheaters
The liars and worse: disingenuous tweeters
Who just want to trick you and make you believe
Some things that aren’t true. Oh, why do they thieve?!

Don’t worry. There’s good in the big world too
Like Nala and sunsets and skies that are blue.
There’s people who help when you need it the most
There’s good people born in the Ivory Coast.

So focus on good, resist what is bad
Life should be simple, (just like your dad).
Keep focussed and strive to be best at your craft
Yes, even when you have to manage short-staffed.

That’s how you get noticed, how you get promoted;
How you find the ones who’ll be madly devoted.
Unless they are me, who thinks things traditional
And loves with a love that’s for you, unconditional.

Love, your godfather,

Justin