Fantastic – your zoom lens.
Thought I’d experiment.
Take a stab at the moon;
hoped you wouldn’t mind.
Maybe add it to your album.
On reflection though, I guess
you’ll have a bird’s eye view...
where you are. Well thumbed
it’s become...over the months.
Hale Bopp – years ago now,
back in nineteen-ninety-seven.
Great, those pictures you took,
dab-hand that you were. Mine
are bound to be crap. Never did
have the knack. Too many knobs
to twiddle, buttons to press.
Your camera’s still fine. Haven’t
broken it yet except, true to form,
I’ll find a way. Calamity Jane –
you called me. It’s freezing
out here! But one good thing,
the sky’s clear as a bell. Hey!
I’m sure I saw a shooting star;
the Perseids, more than likely.
When are they exactly? July,
I seem to remember you said.
Reminds me of that night
we went ‘comet spotting’;
just the two of us at the top
of Box Hill. Sat there till dawn;
never saw one. Not that it mattered.
Strange how it is – this thing
we call ‘life’. The easier it gets
the harder it becomes. I’m wearing
your old coat; the one you always
wore. The one I gave to you
that birthday with all those pockets.
In one of them, a note on a small
scrap of paper, neatly folded.
“Hope this helps keep you warm
when I’m not there to hug you.
Love you to the moon and back.”
And beyond, Dad.
Comments
insertponceyfre... | March 21, 2010 - 06:15
I really enjoyed this Tina. I like the way each memory is another clue to the person who's being described
Silver Spun Sand | March 21, 2010 - 08:54
Really pleased you like this one and thanks so much for telling me. Have a sunny Sunday:-)
Tina
Kahdai | March 21, 2010 - 16:14
Another of your poems that I adore, I have always loved the stars & night sky! I also have been comet-watching to no luck, who is with you can make it worth it, I love wish on shooting stars. Kahdai xx
Silver Spun Sand | March 21, 2010 - 17:12
Thank you so much, Kahdai. It was a poem I really enjoyed writing;-) Have always been fascinated in all things astronomical. Hale Bopp was quite something but I don't think many of us will see it again, not for a long.....time;-)
Tina xx
Beeme | March 21, 2010 - 20:02
Another truely beautiful poem Tina, I also adore it! The last lines finish perfectly. I always feel when I reads your poems like I have gone on a journey with the characters you create, this is no exception.
Love these lines;
"Your camera’s still fine. Haven’t
broken it yet except, true to form,
I’ll find a way. Calamity Jane –
you always called me. It’s freezing
out here! But one good thing;
the sky’s clear as a bell."
I love to watch the stars too and often star gaze when its a clear night.
Beeme xx
kheldar | March 21, 2010 - 21:12
Tina, I'm a hard-bitten old cynic, but this brought a tear to my eye. Thank you.
David xx :--)
Silver Spun Sand | March 21, 2010 - 21:41
Beeme - your comments never fail to touch my heart. Thank you for them, and for reading my poem;-)
Tina xx
Silver Spun Sand | March 21, 2010 - 21:43
A hard-bitten old cynic...never;-) And thank you...from one hard-bitten old cynic to another.
Tina xx;-)
MistakenMagic | March 22, 2010 - 16:57
Another beautiful poem, Tina! You truly are the queen of poetic details ;) Can't even pick out a favourite stanza, they're all so wonderfully crafted!
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | March 22, 2010 - 17:00
'Queen of Poetic detail', I kind of like that;-)
So glad you enjoyed and thanks for telling me.
Tina xxx
Ewan | March 23, 2010 - 12:23
Is this a reworking of something else, SSS?
I liked the reveal and the device of the paper in the pocket.
Silver Spun Sand | March 23, 2010 - 12:48
Hi there, Ewan.
Yes, it indeed is. It is kind of a mix of two of my previous poems. 'The Milky Way and Back' and one I wrote about my daughter, 'She Wore it Well'.
As usual, you don't miss a trick;-) And thanks for your interest, as always.
SSS
Kahdai | March 23, 2010 - 15:52
Like the change of the ending Tina xx
Silver Spun Sand | March 23, 2010 - 17:20
Thank you Kahdai. I'm glad you noticed;-) I wasn't happy with it from the start, and then it finally came to me...what I had intended to say all along.
Tina xx
Garnetbird (not verified) | March 23, 2010 - 23:51
I'm new to this site. This poem was touching.
Silver Spun Sand | March 24, 2010 - 08:48
Garnetbird - thank you so much and welcome to ABC. I really like your name, by the way;-)
Shall look forward to reading your work.
Tina
Nathan Bednarek | March 29, 2010 - 15:22
A heart-warming, fascinating tale, Tina. This is the sort of beauty and emotion that ignites what poetry is truly about.
Amazing, well done.
Nathan.
Silver Spun Sand | March 29, 2010 - 15:45
Hey, Nathan...great to hear from you and am so pleased you enjoyed this one.
Hope things are well with you;-)
Tina xox