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Three and the Quarters...

Posted by Silver Spun Sand on August 3, 2011 - 07:58
from the ABC set Silver Spun Sand Poems

My son rides high upon my shoulders...
hacking our way through jungle. In reality –
the stubble of a wheat crop; both taller
than we dreamed we could ever be.

He somersaults over furrows
like an acrobatic clown – winnowing
west towards the moor – misty,
in the mid-morning haze.

Hungry to learn, I could teach
him many things; that the world
is round. That the sun rises in the east
and sets in the west

yet, make the grade, and wherever
he is, he will be right there at the top;
this boy who loves trampolines
and vanilla ice-cream...

stomping in puddles – damselflies,
dandelions, and surprises. You know
he’s not a herd of stampeding stallions,
but that he is, if he thinks he is.

Discuss this piece in the abctales forum


Comments

skinner_jennifer | August 3, 2011 - 09:20

Hi Tina,

I imagined this was a poem of Father and Son, I
paticularly like that last stanza:-

stomping in puddles - damselflies,
dandelions, and surprises. You know
he's not a herd of stampeding stallions,
but that he is, if he thinks he is.

I just had this brilliant image of the Father
so proud of his son.

Great read.

Jenny.

Silver Spun Sand | August 3, 2011 - 09:33

You got it in one, Jenny;-) Pleased you enjoyed.

The title of the poem is all because my granddaughter...in those far off days, instead of saying she was three-and-three quarters, would always say, 'three and the quarters';-) Bless.

Tina

insertponceyfre... | August 3, 2011 - 12:11

wonderful - I really enjoyed this!

LEJenkinson | August 3, 2011 - 13:00

I really liked this. It reminded me a lot of Seamus Heaney and poems like "Digging". Some really lovely imagery and fun alliteration!
LJ

Silver Spun Sand | August 3, 2011 - 18:20

Thanks for such a lovely comment, insert;-) I'm really pleased.

Tina

Silver Spun Sand | August 3, 2011 - 18:20

LJ - more than appreciate your words. Thanks;-)

Tina

JoseHdz | August 3, 2011 - 18:40

charming poem; especially enjoyed the last stanza.. delicate :)

cheers,

jose hernandez diaz.

Silver Spun Sand | August 3, 2011 - 21:18

Thanks, Jose. Much appreciated.

Tina;-)

Highhat | August 4, 2011 - 04:49

Such a life-affirming poem Tina- really well done
have a lovely Thursday- we are having such a beautiful streak of good weather- I am enjoying every minute
;)Pia

Silver Spun Sand | August 4, 2011 - 06:58

Hi there, Pia;-) I envy you your 'beautiful streak'. This morning, all the blue skies have been replaced by a decidedly 'grey streak' and it is raining, heavens-hard. But it will be good for the garden, as long as it doesn't last too long. Blue skies tomorrow, perhaps.

Pleased you enjoyed and hey, you have a lovely Thursday too, and enjoy the sun;-)

Tina

MistakenMagic | August 4, 2011 - 17:03

I'll continue to be amazed by the powers of childhood imagination - I had great fun playing 'Harry Potter' with my little cousins in France. All we needed were branches for wands and a field! You capture the wonder of their special powers beautifully, Tina. Well done on the cherry!

Magic xxx

barryj1 | August 5, 2011 - 14:54

I'm glad you took the trouble to explain the title. Yes, a child can be anything he wants to be - even a herd of stampeding stallions.

Silver Spun Sand | August 6, 2011 - 13:58

You sound as if you had great fun too, Magic. Many thanks for reading, and I'm glad you enjoyed;-)

Tina xxx

Silver Spun Sand | August 6, 2011 - 14:00

Yes, I thought I'd better, barry;-) My granddaughter is actually seventeen-and-the-quarters this month - her eighteenth birthday being in December;-)

Thanks for taking the time to read this one, and for your lovely comment.

Tina