Adam's 13th Birthday by Steve Manick

At thirteen years old, Adam’s almost a man,
From child to adulthood he’s starting to span.

He loves taking pictures and working with tools,
And trying new root beers and swimming in pools.

A pack-rat by nature, he collects and he stores,
You know where he’s been ‘cause you cant see the floors.

He hunts down the cats and they run and they skitter,
But he doesn’t like having to clean out their litter.

Their eight-mile walks are the height of dad’s week,
A quick stop for coffee and for hours they’ll speak.

Though Adam’s impulsive, he knows wrong from right,
And strangers have praised him for being polite.

He really loves camping, you’d see him perspire,
As he’s chopping up wood and stoking the fire.

His mom is his chauffeur, with rarely a pause,
She’s there to defend him, and fight for his cause.

He doesn’t like homework or doing his chores,
But he’ll jump right to action for ice cream or s’mores.

And when he’s inspired, to his workbench he darts,
He’ll look through dad’s boxes of electronic parts.

His collection of gadgets would awe most adults,
You’ll question the need ‘til you see the results.

He fights with his sister, they tattle and shout,
Then cheers and defends her when she’s down and out.

As he enters his teens we just want him to hear,
Happy birthday, Adam, have a wonderful year.