Gazes my way, with those engaging,
‘take me for a walk, please’, hazel eyes,
even though his tired, old legs
won’t carry him much further.
He still misses him, I sense...even
after all these years, and her, of course;
get the feeling I’m but second best.
Walking in the park – let him off
his leash. He pads around for a bit;
lays down, tongue hanging out,
thankful for a rest.
I sit, for a while, by the playground –
watch children on the swings, full
of, “Push me, Daddy, high!”
Oh, but he did!
Her hand-smocked pinafore-dress,
billows in the breeze like a blue,
box-kite; east becomes west,
south becomes north; compass points
conjoin in her head.
“Mummy, where do babies come from...
and when do I start school? And, why
did Daddy go away, and how many
light years to heaven?”
When I get home, I give her a call,
just to hear her voice. ‘Sorry – Lois
can’t come to the phone...’
“As many as from here to there...”
my message, after the tone.
Comments
SundaysChild | April 12, 2011 - 17:30
A hand-smocked pinafore-dress,
billows in the breeze like a blue,
box-kite; east becomes west,
south becomes north; compass points
conjoin in her head.
Beautiful!
Silver Spun Sand | April 12, 2011 - 17:33
Many thanks, Sunday's;-)
Tina
SundaysChild | April 12, 2011 - 17:34
Absolutely love those lines Tina.
Have a nice evening, it's still sunny where I am, hope it is for you :)
shoe | April 12, 2011 - 17:34
Yes it is and Sundays has picked my favourite verse too!!
Silver Spun Sand | April 12, 2011 - 17:36
Sure is, and thank you again;-)
Silver Spun Sand | April 12, 2011 - 17:37
Great minds obviously think alike, eh, Shoe?;-)
Thanks and glad you enjoyed.
Tina
MistakenMagic | April 12, 2011 - 19:35
'Her hand-smocked pinafore-dress,
billows in the breeze like a blue,
box-kite; east becomes west,
south becomes north; compass points
conjoin in her head.'
- love the imagery in this stanza! The compass points reminds me of Marvell's 'The Definition of Love' - spheres, and diametrical opposites ;) Well done!
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | April 12, 2011 - 20:38
Thanks, Magic. You never cease to amaze me with all those wonderful literary facts you have in that quite remarkable head of yours;-) Pleased you enjoyed.
Tina xxx
SteveM | April 13, 2011 - 08:30
Hi Tina,
This one is so sad. I don't know how you manage to get so much emotion into so few lines. I must have read it at least 6 times.
Steve
Silver Spun Sand | April 13, 2011 - 09:00
Many thanks, Steve;-)
Tina
fatboy74 | April 13, 2011 - 10:10
So much going on in this one Tina and what Steve says about conveying emotion rings very true - thanks for a lovely read. :-)
skinner_jennifer | April 13, 2011 - 14:06
Hi Tina,
like Magic said, the imagery in that 5th stanza is
amazing, I too liked the bit about the compass points.
I also loved the bit at the beginning about the
four legged friend. Was this about a dog that you
took for a walk in the park? just wondering.
thankyou for another beautiful read.
Jenny.
Dark Fox | April 13, 2011 - 14:14
this was good.... amazing actually xxx written on my birthday xxx thank you for an amazing read on my birthday xxx
Silver Spun Sand | April 13, 2011 - 14:20
You're welcome, fb;-)
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | April 13, 2011 - 14:21
Yes it was, Jenny. Many thanks for reading and glad you enjoyed;-)
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | April 13, 2011 - 14:23
Dark Fox...many happy returns of the day;-) And thanks for taking time out to read this. Whatever you are doing today, I hope it is a good one.
Tina
rjnewlyn | April 13, 2011 - 20:17
Rang rather true this one. The family's away for a few days and I have a seriously depressed dog to look after. I can deal with most things but seem to have trouble with sad animals ...
Rob
Silver Spun Sand | April 14, 2011 - 08:12
Don't we all, Rob?;-) Hope your dog will soon be wagging its tail again.
Many thanks.
Tina
barryj1 | April 14, 2011 - 16:59
This poem says so much. I had to go back and reread it several times to appreciate the complexed simplicity. And, best of all, it told a bewitching story.
This poem has that deft, artless quality that all good writing has. You make it look a heck of a lot easier than it (i.e. the getting black on white) really is.
Silver Spun Sand | April 14, 2011 - 17:37
You always see through right to the 'heart of the matter', barry, and I thank you for your more than valued feedback. Pleased you enjoyed;-)
Tina
Dynamaso | April 15, 2011 - 07:44
Late to the party but concur with everyone before me. Another excellent piece, Tina.
Silver Spun Sand | April 15, 2011 - 09:17
Thanks, so very much;-) Tina
littleditty | April 15, 2011 - 12:33
'as many as from here to there' - like how rhyme holds this tender poem together just right -very touching piece -saw her there!x
Silver Spun Sand | April 15, 2011 - 13:43
Many thanks for your thoughtful words, ld;-)x