You sit cross legged like a yogi
in my papasan chair sifting
your beard between sips of tea,
tell me the moon was birthed
cut from the circle of earth,
the world is flat as a folding knife
When you were small, I built
a tree castle from repurposed
pallets, so high it raked the stars
like Babel's tower; pig Latin
coursing through your brain
even then , I passed if off
the way it never bothered you
how other kids rode bikes
played hide-and-seek, caught
lightning bugs in a jar.
Sometimes I break, curse God,
myself, the universe -and then
I'm secretly grateful to all
the pretty girls who will
never crush your heart.
The machinations of this world
won't hurt you much.
Poem For a Mad Son
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- Posts: 2688
- Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03
Re: Poem For a Mad Son
This is so filled with compassion. Gorgeous. A sure winner at the IBPC, though it deserves much better. We're privileged that you display your stunning wares before us....
You set the table beautifully...
You sit cross legged like a yogi
in my papasan chair.sroking
your beard between sips of tea,
and wow that wonderful line:
the world is flat as a folding knife
and oh the knowing, but heartbreaking lines:
the way it never bothered you
how other kids rode bikes
played hide-and-seek, threw rocks.
and then the heartrending close:
I'm secretly glad this world
will never hurt you much.
You set the table beautifully...
You sit cross legged like a yogi
in my papasan chair.sroking
your beard between sips of tea,
and wow that wonderful line:
the world is flat as a folding knife
and oh the knowing, but heartbreaking lines:
the way it never bothered you
how other kids rode bikes
played hide-and-seek, threw rocks.
and then the heartrending close:
I'm secretly glad this world
will never hurt you much.
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- Posts: 2154
- Joined: 18 Apr 2005, 04:57
Re: Poem For a Mad Son
Hi Kenneth,
I don't find the son to be mad;
however, I do understand that his mother nevertheless is concerned he might be.
A minor workshop share re the syntax of the finale:
I'm secretly grateful to all
the pretty girls who will
never crush your heart;
and the machinations of this world
that won't hurt you much.
There is no maternity leave
Michael (MV)
I don't find the son to be mad;
however, I do understand that his mother nevertheless is concerned he might be.
A minor workshop share re the syntax of the finale:
I'm secretly grateful to all
the pretty girls who will
never crush your heart;
and the machinations of this world
that won't hurt you much.
There is no maternity leave
Michael (MV)
-
- Posts: 2154
- Joined: 18 Apr 2005, 04:57
Re: Poem For a Mad Son
Consider leaving "poem" out of the title
To a Mad Son
or
For a Mad Son
Michael (MV)
To a Mad Son
or
For a Mad Son
Michael (MV)