April 27, 2017
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Looking to Touch Base
He holds my hand
Tightly for security and balance
Refuses to let go
No manner of coaxing convinces
That the world is safe
So he holds onHe totters on
My large palm cradles his hand
I note his improved balance
Persuade myself to let go
His cry melts my resolve and convinces
Me to hold on to keep him safeI’ve padded corners to make it safe
Placed bumpers and cushions on
Every sharp spot my hand
Encounters trying to balance
My need for safety with his need to go
Places his mobility convincesA little push convinces
And the fall happens yet he is safe
With a bounce when he lands on
The soft pillow I had at hand
I have to consider the life balance
Of his independence when I goWork demands I go
His wave and smile convinces
Me that he will be safe
While I travel on
The ghost feeling of his hand
Casting me off balanceHome and work is a difficult balance
Every time I go
His kiss convinces
Me that he will be safe
While I work steadily holding on
To the moment I touch his tiny handSoon the balance will shift from hand to hand
I will stay at home and he will go on
And he will be the one that convinces me that I’m safeThis is a sestina. When I was first introduced to this form I tried it and found it to be difficult. Sandra encouraged me saying that it would get easier. I tried again and again. It never got easier. Here I am 10 years later and it is still not easy. The sestina is composed of 6 stanzas of 6 lines. The words that end each line in the first stanza are repeated in a different order at the end of each line in subsequent stanzas. The end is a tercet (3 lines) called an envoi where all the ending words are used 2 per line.
This is a little comment on the independence of children. My sons were quick to want to walk. Once they figured out how to walk they immediately pulled their hands out of mine. However they would constantly return to me just to make sure I was still there. They needed reassurance that their "safety net" was available. In the larger scheme of things I'm pretty sure that eventually I will need to hold their hands...
Comments (4)
A lovely poem -- yes, the balance will shift as time goes on, and hopefully the boys will be there to hold your hand!
I'm glad you liked this one! I am counting on at least one of them being there for me in my later years...
I think that would be a hard poem to write. Sounds complicated to me. I had to have my children hold my hands last summer when I was so sick. I am so thankful for them.
You are so lucky to have so many children so close by. I'm glad they were able to be there for you!!