The Son Who Stayed

by Eric Santillan
One of the most iconic stories of the bible is that of the Prodigal Son. I’ve written a poem from the perspective of the younger son before.

This is a reflection on the story from the perspective of the Elder Son, the one who stayed behind to be his father’s heir. May we be brought to our own reflection of what we do for the sake of responsibility, and how that could also hurt us, and make us resentful, and eventually judgmental of people who do not have the “commitment” to stay behind.

The Son Who Stayed
eric santillan

I also wanted to leave.
But then he left in the middle of the night,
Like a thief
Who stole my dreams away.

I’ve never seen you cry before
That day
You looked out the window
With lifeless eyes.

One day you finally smiled
At me.
I almost did not hear you say, “Time to move on…”
Because the only thing I saw were your sad eyes.

I also wanted to leave.
But then life happened,
Like a thief
That stole my hopes away.

And so here I am
Looking out the window at the road ahead.
Longing and waiting
With you.