To Either of My Daughters As Infants (Or Both)
To Either of My Daughters As Infants (or Both)
What I want to say is
there was no present like
that time–
What I want to say is
there are no eyes as blue as the sky
around a full moon
some evenings–
except perhaps yours
looking up at me,
your face as fair
as some faces are,
too young to have seen much sun–
and my arms felt like the sky,
encompassing time and effortlessly
present.
And though there is something in me
that forever times
the present, that is bluer
than evening sky and more alone in that blue
than even the starless–
what I want to say is
there was still that time, your presence–
eyes looking up at me
and me looking right back
when there was nothing
we wanted for
and all to be said,
was said,
in soft high pitches.
*******************************
Here’s a draftish poem for my wonderful daughters and the wonderful prompt by Herotomost on With Real Toads “I Must Refrain.” This has been edited a couple times since first posting.
PS–my job has kept me extremely busy lately, so if I’m missed returning a visit–please forgive—or better, let me know!
Explore posts in the same categories: poetry
Tags: manicddaily, mother-daughter poem, new mother poem, refrain (maybe) poem, remembering when they were young poem, To my daughters poem, where did the time go poem!
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ManicDDaily 
July 12, 2014 at 3:52 am
A really cute poem… I loved reading it … Specially” my arms felt like sky” part was extremely cosy….
July 12, 2014 at 5:57 am
that last staza brings this to a wonderful close…and made me think about those scant moments of my own…just like that….
July 12, 2014 at 6:33 am
This is so beautiful. I have two daughters (and a son)…that penultimate stanza really spoke to me.
July 12, 2014 at 8:06 am
There is the same sort of soft murmur to this that the end lines celebrate, that we put in lullabies, that we turn to in the dark. So many simple but elegant phrasings as well–not sure if
‘…there is something in me/that forever times/the present, ” or its following line is more what makes that passage my favorite–they are equally evocative. Beautiful poem, k.
July 12, 2014 at 11:01 am
Thanks. k.
July 12, 2014 at 12:00 pm
This is just epic, Karin. The tenderness of voice and beauty of the imagery has moved me very deeply, while the academic in me loves the structure and progress of the subject matter, the slight changes to the meaning of ‘blue’. And what an amazing close. This is such a fulfilling read.
July 12, 2014 at 12:35 pm
Thanks so much, Kerry. Your kind words, as always, mean a great deal to me. K.
July 12, 2014 at 12:42 pm
This is such an effective voice for the subject…the use of repetition, creating an almost tongue-tied awe in attempting to express what is really beyond expression. And yet, it comes through!
July 12, 2014 at 6:46 pm
arrrgh, that is touching, so true and wonderfully writhed. those may be the best and truest feeling we experience as parents. Your repeating refrains add a trusting feeling to the tone of the piece. It reads like a lullaby, and I love that. Great job and thank you for coming out.
July 12, 2014 at 6:46 pm
That would be written and not writhed….my fingers are not working today….sorry!!!!
July 12, 2014 at 7:05 pm
No worries! My brain is not working today! Thanks much! k.
July 12, 2014 at 7:25 pm
Oh how I love and resonate with this poem – those early dawns, feeding babies, those eyes so round and clear and full of trust…….a glorious poem!
July 12, 2014 at 8:33 pm
I love it K ~ Tender love between mother and children, subtle and unique with the refraining verses echoing love ~
July 12, 2014 at 11:06 pm
“…there was no present like that time…” What a great play on the phrase. MD, I have a daughter, too… although her eyes were so black at birth she looked like an alien… and then they stopped lightening at dark chocolate!
This is about the most lovely ode to daughters I have ever read. I mean it. They must know they are so loved. Even after they grew up and got periods and temper-tantrumed their way through the house and… oh, sorry, I got a little carried away. You know what I mean. May all children be loved and wanted. Amy
July 13, 2014 at 2:07 pm
Thanks so much, Amy! You are very kind–Agreed with your wishes. k.
July 14, 2014 at 12:53 am
this: “and my arms felt like the sky” – just perfect ~