Tags
@TheosTrek, Beach, Cycle of Life, Grandchildren, Grandparenthood, Life, Living, love, Original Photography, Original Poetry, Seagulls, The Sunday Whirl, Wordle #54
Wordle #54 - The Sunday Whirl
(wc 236)
I watch the seagulls flock around you,
awaiting your chase, they love you
with their teasing, and with ungull-like patience
accommodate your impulsive joy.
They ignore the tidbits flung by others;
squander their chances
to get their fill. In this moment
they feed on your delight, and sound
their satisfaction with raucous
nattering chatter.
Your toddling dance at an end,
the feathered clowns, in a flurry
of beating wings, take off for the blue-green sea.
Catching the changeable currents of air,
their clumsy retreat is transformed
to winged grace. With focused, inerrant eyes,
they search and follow where instinct leads.
Their brushed-grey wings
cast wavy reflections
on the undulant sea. Pewter figurines,
come to life, they soar above the wake
of unsuspecting fish that move along
well-traveled lanes beneath the white-capped
swells. Ignorant of the hungry gulls, 
they are scooped and swallowed, prey
in the practiced cycle of life and death.
And I follow you, barely able
to keep up with your steps.
And I know that in your youth
you will always be ahead.
In your life you will walk paths
crooked and straight, progressing
through the narrow alleys
and wider avenues of time.
You will be guarded and surrounded,
protected with love. The life you live
will be your own. Yet I will follow,
feel the intractable pain,
and know the exquisite joy
of your beautiful dance;
leaving, returning, leaving again -
each step of your choosing,
your life.
********************
My Gentle Readers, I wish you the peace, joy, love – the abundance of enough. . .
Thank you for sharing this lovely dance and play, I loved it. You are wise, Holding her hand loosely, supportively, lovingly. We are protectors and guides, teachers and nurturers. They will go. Find their own way. But trusting, believing, investing in them unselfishly, strengthens the bond, and they will be back to share their tales of adventure. Bless you ,
Beautiful images, words and thoughts.
Wow! Zoe’s going to be so touched and proud of her grandma, when she’s old enough to understand the love that prompted this. Beautiful, tender and true, Paula!
I felt your poem all the way to Thailand- felt it in my soul. With three grandchildren back in the States it make life hard over here.
I truly loved this poem and am sorry for the late comment– seems I’m late for everything lately.
I just met a couple today who were ‘minding’ their 7th out of 8 grandchildren. I only have one, my Son of Son… And I hope one day to put all of what I have written for him in one binder. A treasure for sure. Hats’ off to you and your little one.
I am so looking forward to our family time at the shore this summer – as Son of Son will be old enough I think to enjoy the sand and the music of the gulls.
Absolutely outstanding poem, Paula. I had no idea you were such a serious (i.e., dedicated) poet. I could practically smell the sea air and hear the squeals of delight from Zoe. Such love! And such excellent word smithing!
Poetry is my “thing” of late, Sandra. While most of what I post these days is nonsense or silly “Seussian”-type verse, I do have a serious side. As a matter of fact, I am currently working on a poetry collection with another poet that we are hoping to have published in the near future. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. As I say in my sidebar, everything I post is a draaft – usually the very first, and my poems often undergo some radical editing before I’m done with them. I always appreciate real “critiques,” because they can give me a glimpse of whether I’m conveying what I mean to! Also, I have very thick skin, and I can “take it!” So if you have some suggestions, please feel free to make them!
You can search my archives for the tag “Original Poetry,” to find much of what I have posted here on RFACM.
Paula, this is a fabulous write. Yesterday was a rough one for me at school (work), and this is giving today a positive and hopeful start. I love the last stanza, and wish that same unconditional love existed in the life of every student I serve. Thank you for your continued support of The Whirl. I enjoy your writing a great deal.
Oh, Brenda! I guess turn-about is fair play! You just made my day! Thanks so much for the encouragement and for the terrific Wordles!
A love-ly poem about this precious child. You captured the scene so well I could see it all and feel your love for the light of our lives.
Hubs
There is so much love in this poem, Paula
There is that in my heart for Zoë, that’s for sure! I can hardly wait to read your reflections on being a grandparent when your turn comes around. You will be smitten too, I’m sure!