Heather and Robin

written in the mid-1970's, just recently found again

I have two daughters gold as grass,

bright as August fields or sun-burnt sands,

eyes that look to me with cobalt hope

or else midnight reproach. How can

I match the measure set for me

in their terrifying gaze?

All I can offer them - undreamt

futures as their toys, my untorn love -

is just a small return on their gift to me:

my immortality.

 

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

We want to give them so much--all the good stuff that we had, but we fear we'll never be able to. Fate might nor let us, or maybe time will be the culprit. It isn't easy being a parent.

[theludus]

I think 8/10's of this is banging, the sort of surprising stuff that makes poetry an art of endless possibility, and then it turns mothery on me where I think you could keep the 8 parts, add another 2 of the same stuff and have something that serves both needs but will be read more often and last longer on a page. Sheeeesh, i really phrase critiques awkwardly. It is nice to find this sort of poetry here though. goodstuff.

[J.Black]

Simple. Short and right to the point. Daughter (s) like mothers they say! Generations in the making. Love this! Remind me to kiss my mother tonight.

[Charles]

Great words... great images... great story told about the relationship between generations. A lot is packed into these short lines. :-)

[Antonio Valentino]

What a lovely and gifted mother you are. And both names, remind me of two very special people I once knew. I'm sure they are as indebted to you as you are to them.

Fantastic.
Antonio

[Nancy Lee Shrader]

Oh sooo beautiful. Loved this poem!

[Crowley]

Holy Crap Batman....that was so good. To pick a great line would be to pick them all, this was absolutely beautiful and frightening all in the same breath, I too have kids, and I too as I am sure many others feel this way, but I doubt many of us can express it this eloquently....I like.

[emmajoy]

What lovely words .. 'two daughts gold as grass, bright as August field or sun-burnt sands' - what a perfect way in which to describe your girls .. and yes, your immortality is in them and, endlessly ..

[Ladysue]

I loved this. It says it all! Very well expressed... Happy Mother's Day...

[Ed Hart]

yes, and amen...I have two sons that together, before they were twelve, could take me down...Happy Mother's Day