Late afternoon in April. Little bits
Of families at the pitch, along the side,
To celebrate a scrimmage. One dad sits,
From habit, at the corner where he spied
His daughter: she is tall, with ginger hair.
Her team is wearing pink, and on the green
Of middle spring, long shadows everywhere,
Kaleidoscoping colors only seen
In dreams touch aching hearts among the fans.
While little brothers, three of them, play ball
Behind the goal, a single father stands
To keep an eye on his, if he should fall,
And all use up the remnants of the day,
And separated parents stop to say
Goodnight, before they go along their way.
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Alysa Salzberg
Melissa Miles McCarter
Scarlett Sumac
jlsathre
Matt Paust
Jowita Bydlowska
Salon.com
Comments
In dreams touch aching hearts among the fans."
So is this: "And all use up the remnants of the day."
And the last two as well. OK: the whole poem is great.
"Behind the goal, a single father stands
To keep an eye on his, if he should fall,
"
Love the "remnants" aspect of this one. Somehow, I had a little glimmer of hope for the separated couple here, too. But you know me -- raised by Lions fans. Peace to you.
ladyslipper, thank you. Those are three very nice adjectives, and I do like adjectives.
Pilgrim, thanks. It was amusing to watch you convince yourself. I could practically hear you talking to yourself.
anna1: thanks for coming by again. You're getting to be quite the regular -- have you met my friend trilogy? She's...
...oh hi, trilogy! We were just talking about you. Yes, that particular single father was me. Watching the three boys. And even though mine will really hurl himself at the ball when needed, I still have this urge to protect. Does it ever go away?
Moose: nice to see you again. Yes, ships passing is a pretty good analogy. My next poem (May 1) kindof takes up that idea.
Hello, Patty. I'm glad you picked up that glimmer. It is not in evidence in the poem, but I actually felt it while I was writing it. Maybe the hope comes from the fact that no one's swearing at each other as they get into their cars?
And as always, your reading, your comments, this kindness of strangers, all help me to keep this project going. I thank you all sincerely, out there in the ether. Your servant.