Spin Cycle: Kids

A Poem

This week's Spin is kids. Now, I write about kids a lot, maybe too much. But I couldn't think of anything I wanted to post. Then I put up my Weekly Poem, which I post on another page of this blog, and I thought, "Aha, this is it."

I wrote this poem when Daughter #1 was 10. Already she was the independent, trend-bucking, intellectual girl she is today. A poem is really often nothing more than just a moment caught in time, and this is a tiny moment I will always treasure.

My Daughter Going to Town

She wears layers of clashing
flowered shirts,
her purse carefully thrown
over her head and one shoulder.

Inside it I know
are plans,
concoctions large enough
to barely contain themselves
in a roll of lifesavers,
a zippered change purse,
a round pot of gloss.

She throws her chin up,
strides a half step ahead,
toes not quite thrust into sandals,
tongue intent through clenched jaw,
her cheek still round with little girl dreams.

And I, unable to stop myself,
place a hand on her head.
Startled she turns,
smiles,
and I ache at her
magnificence.
                  -mdh

For those of you (and I know there are many) who don't respond enthusiastically to poetry, I apologize. I promise not to invade this page with poems too often. For more Spins on kids, go check out Sprite's Keeper.

Comments

[Jan]

I like poetry, I just don't *understand* it.

I like this poem, very much so.

[Sprite's Keeper]

No, no. Don't apologize. I feel that way every time I catch Sprite doing something and the way she looks makes me want to freeze that moment forever. I love this poem and it reminds me of these moments I ache for. You're gifted. You're also linked!

[Rosemary]

Ah, I so remember Daughter #1 at ten that this makes me want to cry!

Love the poem, love the site, and the author pic rocks. . .

[Mama Badger]

Wonderful. It says it all, without saying too much. Not many people can catch a moment in time that way. Good deal!

[GiGi @ Incrementum]

I ache at her magnificence.