changing places

because it has to go somewhere

I want to be a little girl again

down at the river

and watch her bait my hook

while she laughs at the silly child

too prissy to get her hands dirty.

 

I want to be almost grown again

sitting on her bed

reading poetry out loud

all through the night

as if she knows the roads

I would one day travel.

 

I want to take her hand

and walk with her

through adventures not yet shared

because she shouldn't have

to travel there alone.

 

And while I sit distracted,

hesitating in the curves of memory

her weak eyes focus

on a hilly horizon

where he stands waiting.

Author's Note

I wouldn't be the woman or the poet I am without the gifts she gave.

Reviews

[KUFU]

A tear jerker for me for some reason. I think of my mother as a little girl for some reason as I read this poem. The sentiments are soft and reflective...a trademark of your written voice for sure. When you cast these heartfelt poetic spells Ema, I must consider you graduated with high praise at Hogworts! ;-)

[Marie Anzalone]

So many different ways to read this, Emily- I try each one out in my mind, and none of seem a perfect match. I'm left wanting to know so many things: who is he? who is she? Is she a mother figure? An older version of herself? Why is he so important? Why does the poem end with him on the horizon? Is that good, or bad, or just the way things are?

[Ed Hart]

"curves of memory"...some phrases carry so much weight

[I-smile]

A lovely write i must say. =)

[Tony]

You balance nostagia and the passing of a loved one with skill here.

I like the parallels you create in the last two stanzas to present that they are not passing alone even if we feel like it. Very moving write.

[Robin]

love this ~

[Sweet_pale_cacophony]

Don't we all wish that only if we could go back in time and guide the little child that we were through the paths that we know now well..but then if we prevented her from stumbling on the way..would she be what she is..
Poignant,sentimental and beautiful poetry..

[.]

. magically magnetic is what this poem is ... much like its writer ... love the title ... love the image of reading poetry out loud all night ... love the trip down at the river ... walking through adventures ... yet ... more than love the last stanza ... that hilly horizon ... amazingly beautiful poetry, emily ... enchanting, captivating, poignant and mesmerizing ... yet even more than that ... magnanimous ... when you write, you always give ...

[Linear]

And this is really what poetry is all about.
revealing a little of the inner self, in a way that suits us, that sometimes gets our readers to think a little deeper, so they can find treasures within themselves

[Lilly Negoi]

this is a total beauty...and a wonderful memory :). thank you so much for sharing these feelings! the way you express them is exquisite :).

[.]

genetics are AWESOME