I could have never known
it was a flame burning
in that child’s heart;
it seemed nothing more
than a gentle sort of knowing,
as natural as all the
violent chaos surrounding it
and impossible to make out
as a thing on its own,
rather than another broken
offshoot, perhaps even several
generations down and twice removed
(we seek complexity).
But then it showed itself plain
for what it was and, having spent
years swaying in the storms
and secretly liking it that way,
gathering up even more knowing,
found its elbow room,
yawning, stretching its arms long,
and parted the waters.
——————————–
The title is from Sara Teasdale, who often uses the image of bending to indicate strength (‘like barley bending’). That metaphor is counter to how we typically describe strength, and just wonderful.
6 responses to “Loving the storms that sway her”
This is beautiful–gentle, confident, patient in sound and sense.
Thank you! You are very good at compliments — you always make my day. 🙂
I think I probably don’t compliment enough–but when I do, I am sincere! 🙂
The only uncomfortable part
was when tears came from my eyes…
which,
I believe,
was a non-verbal compliment
from my heart
Thank you for that! This poem cuts pretty close for me …
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