Saturday, February 4, 2012

when ... a poem for my daughter



when ... a poem for my daughter


when you were young
and you leapt from your bed
in an eerie arc through space
and there was a certainty in your eyes
that i would catch you before broken bones
catch you in strong arms
that you believed
held up the weight of all the world

when laughter fell from your eyes
and formed puddles in our basement room
during the rainy season of miracles

when there was a home
a place for you and me
to dance in uncertain circles
down the hallway
and out the back door
across the silent lawn
and into forever

when music defined yesterday
and tomorrow
and today was like a full rest pause
between the melody and the bridge
and i heard you sing
in a crowded auditorium
your voice soaring to perfect pitch
over the riot of tears
streaming from my eyes

when there was a family
a simple snapshot of the us
hanging proudly by the staircase
before it faded slowly into hurt
and separation

when there was time
for love and unspoken faith
and every breath was just a gasp
away from giddy

when there was all that and more
a collection of puzzle fragments
that mysteriously
fell into place
i watched in wonder
as the colourful pieces fit together
and blended softly
to capture the perfect portrait
of a lady safe
behind the glass of a perfect frame
but now i can only guess that
i did not hold up my end of the bargain
the forever promise to
catch you soaring in mid-air
because for all my searching and
despite every hopeful prayer
these arms are empty now
and i can't find you anywhere

Copyright © Kennedy James, 2012. All rights reserved.

No comments:

Post a Comment





© Kennedy James. All rights reserved.
All material in this site is copyrighted under International Copyright Law. Reproduction of original content, in any form and in whole or in part, save for fair use exemption, is prohibited by the author of this site without expressed, written permission.