Happiness Business: Beth Kephart Poem
Friday, May 15, 2009
This happiness business of yours beingnearly complete, being
I’m not saying
swagger or stomp,
not claiming
the rogue refutation of what
(may we speak honestly?)
is still life as we know it—
which is to say steady on no feet,
and too lovely and perceptible
to save itself.
That is not what I said
or not what I would have said
had you not, again,
been heading out the door—
your cap gyroscoped back
on your head,
your assurances
nineteen years old
and clever,
your words tossed
over the sudden brawn
of your shoulder:
Don't worry it will be late so I won’t wake you.
Absolutely not:
Wake me.
10 comments:
Love those last lines.
Beautiful poem, Beth! I love how you see the growing up process. :)
Oh, I'm smiling. That is how life is, isn't it?
Yes!
You have had so many lovely poems lately. I'm enjoying them all.
It's amazing how we, as parents, will grab any moment we can with our children. Glad your son is home.
And how do you find just the perfect picture to go with each poem? I've just started noticing how the picture matches up with your words, and it never ceases to amaze me.
I very much like this poem. One of your best, I think.
Absolutely not:
Wake me.
I LOVE IT! Standing right beside you, Beth!
Oh yes, Always wake me, dear child, whether nineteen or ninety, wherever your swaggering self takes you, and let me know you're safe.
Love this :)
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