Not lilacs, in this case, but lilac-colored bougainvillea |
22
Its Own Pace
Its Own Pace
Nine,
going on ten
With
three months of summer, then
fifth
grade at St. Luke’s
Reading
assignments follow
Math
class and Catechism
Ride
your bike home; don’t
dilly-dally
afterwards
or
you’ll miss supper
Pies
in the oven, chili
on
the stove, wash your hands first
Please,
thank you, and yes.
While
lilacs bloom and grass grows,
hollows
slowly fill
Moving
forward, remember
your
youth, forget the deep loss.
Most of my poems only bow politely to the renshi
form of poetry. This poem is my attempt at the Japanese form of poetry known as
waka, which is 3 lines of 17 syllables (5-7-5; this part later known as haiku)
followed by two lines of 14 syllables (7-7).
The
poem addresses a tragic situation in a young person’s life. The focus is on the
coping mechanism of moving past the pain and incomprehensible nature of an
unnatural occurrence. There are no parameters to restrict the types of
tragedies that would cause such sorrow. To a child, delineations do not exist.
The
hollowness that follows deep loss must fill slowly. Debilitating ache eases
until only a dull throb persists as a reminder, often when one least expects
the memory to rise. The challenge is to remember the goodness, the healthy body
of youth, and endless possibilities of a hopeful future.
Being
told to forget the deep loss does not mean to ignore the occurrence. Instead,
allow the healing waters of time to gently flow through your mind, diluting pain
and bitter sorrow along the way. Keep in mind, though, that poems do not offer
advice. Rather, they draw from the reader’s own mind solutions already
considered. In the peaceful atmosphere of quiet reading, it is possible to see
solutions in a new light, and determine a course of action.
*****
I had to put Sir Poops down this past week. He will be missed. Terribly. Nice poem.
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry for your loss, Shelly. You have so many good memories and wonderful pictures!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful and poignant poem.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy. Personal, also, as you know.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this form. I want tp try it now :)
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