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littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York

0 posted 2004-12-21 05:07 PM



I am teaching my son to read,
Rather, he is grasping the written word.

Before his birth,
I longed to see his lips, purse
so slightly in time
with the crunch of his brow.
As his eyes register
each character
churning and bouncing inside his head,
atoms dancing -
as a Gentleman and his fair Lady,
bowing gracefully to the other
before a waltz.

I continue to stare.

My single sense of sight
seems to be the only one at large.
I do not hear the words
flying from his mouth,
as a trapeze artist
leaps across each synapse,
jolting an ancient clock to spark
with each grasp of hand.

Holding ages together,
strands of DNA.

Nothing more than the woolen scarf
I wrap snugly around his chin
before we venture out
to make snow angels.
  

© Copyright 2004 Sue Eckam - All Rights Reserved
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

1 posted 2004-12-21 05:11 PM


Now this will take the chill off of anybody.



and I did chuckle too, thinking, mine can read too, and yanno? Sometimes they read here!



Merry Christmas Susie, and give the boy a hug from Auntie "k".


inkedgoddess
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392
Ohio
2 posted 2004-12-21 05:33 PM


do not hear the words
flying from his mouth,
as a trapeze artist
leaps across each synapse,


truly amazing how they do these things, isn't it; i likened it to walking, found it amazing too too how they just get up and walk when they did..
never read b. collins, until i just clicked it and checked it out,  or your billy, thoughsomething tells me there will be more great things from both billy's

may you be a proud mommie always

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
3 posted 2004-12-21 05:44 PM


Beautiful writing here Sue...
I sat here and nodded my head in understanding as I read this.
Hugs~

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
4 posted 2004-12-21 11:00 PM


I remember, Sue...how everything was amazing from the first squint to the arch of understanding...it is so special to have children, they teach us so much!  
wranx
Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn
5 posted 2004-12-21 11:16 PM


Don't you love the way reading poetry will spark something. But this, you had in you all along...Probably needed the smallest of nudges...And BTW, each time you write, you get better and better.

Snow angels....I can see you two now.

*plop* *plop*...*fwish* *fwish* *fwish*

Mysteria
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
6 posted 2004-12-21 11:49 PM




I could actually picture you two!  This was a precious moment in time captured in words, and Ed's right the more you post the richer the words are becoming.
Sending down my love to you both, Merry Christmas.

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
7 posted 2004-12-21 11:59 PM


Susie, reading to my daughter each night will always be one of my favorite memories. But we lived by the beach when she was little, so sand angels were more our style.  
Enjoyed this write and the memories it triggered.

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
8 posted 2004-12-22 05:23 AM


smiling*
Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
9 posted 2004-12-22 10:16 AM




it is the best of times...

"cast me gently into the morning, for the night has been unkind"
~Sarah McLachlan~

kayjay
Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015
Oregon
10 posted 2004-12-22 11:59 AM


Great job, Sue.  My granddaughter is a voracious reader and I like to think I've helped that process.  
You say this well for all of us who love reading and wish to pass this gift along.  Ken

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
11 posted 2004-12-22 12:58 PM


Heart-warming and precious.

Your love for your son leaps "write" off of the page!

Blessings to you both!
Linda
Snow Angel

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
12 posted 2004-12-22 03:15 PM


This is delightful... The love in it is just what this chilly day needed. *S*
Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

13 posted 2004-12-22 03:20 PM


this warmed me Sue, when I needed to be warmed so very much...

thank you.  Happy Holidays Gal!

Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

14 posted 2004-12-22 03:25 PM


Simply beautiful Sue, and M'Bro is right, with each write you get betterer and betterer.

This is certainly a

Mxx

into this night i wonder, it's morning that i dread, another day of knowing of, the path i fear to tread.
~Sarah McLachlan~

*Alli4000*
Deputy Moderator 10 Tours
Member Elite
since 2004-03-21
Posts 3188
The World of Poetry
15 posted 2004-12-22 07:12 PM


Great write Sue!

~Alli~

Happy Holidays!

littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
16 posted 2004-12-22 09:13 PM


Thank you so much everyone for reading and liking.  Ed sent me some Billy Collins and my son and I were both reading when I just looked at him . . .

Merry Christmas Everyone.  Thank you so much and K?

of course . . . *smile*

thanks guys  

EvocativeVerse2
Senior Member
since 2003-09-10
Posts 1279

17 posted 2004-12-23 09:02 PM


I am so JEALOUS littlewing. Snow angels? No snow here...just a bitter chill. Jamilee (my daughter) and I though have been reading some fine Nate The Great stories. Dad of course thinks they are GREAT...Jami I think would rather read Barbie. LOL!

Remember, if you're not part of the future, you're history!

garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
18 posted 2004-12-24 02:28 AM


Hello LittleOne,
This is so precious. I could feel the love for your Billy
all the way through. And can't they make us proud?
Thank you for sharing your love and your son with us.
Give Billy a hug for me and here's one for you too...
  
With love and hugs,
Ethel


BluesSerenade
Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
19 posted 2004-12-24 02:41 AM


Love is all there is, and you dear lady, wrap it up so beautifully.

Merry Christmas, Tweets~

ice
Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania
20 posted 2004-12-24 05:13 AM


Sue
What a woderful thing to do..read Billy with Billy...Collins is a great poet, and he loves children, knows how to speak with them, not at them.

"I suppose I might be different from previous poet laureates by kind of emphasizing the playful or even screwball aspects of poetry." ~Billy Collins

Sometime, before you go out to play with your Billy, read Billy C's "Snow Day"...also "Child Development" is one of my favorites..

This poem is very good, and I enjoyed reading it...

__________ice/ford
   ><>

Come read to me some poem,
Some simple and heartfelt lay,
That shall soothe this restless feeling
And banish the thoughts of day.
Longfellow

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