Trying To Put All The Best Words In The Best Order # 23

 The March Slice of Life Challenge at the Two Writing Teachers blog - Thanks Stacey and Ruth.  Poetry Friday Is at A Year of Reading - Thanks Mary Lee for hosting.

          As I said when I first talked about this project here, I'm working on a series of poems at different stages in a life, saying goodbye each time.  I hope to put them together in a book with pictures of my grandchildren (10 ½, almost 3, 7 months) at the particular stage I am describing in the poem.  Much of this involves my observations through the ten years of my grandson's life, and now of the younger grandgirls--all growing and changing so fast.  I love telling stories through poetry, and I have long collected poems of goodbye, so this is my way to combine both passions.  Someday I hope to put it all together in a book for my grandchildren.  As we often say, it’s nice to have a goal and an audience to write for.

Real feedback is welcome.  I appreciate it.  Here is number two:

(2)

I hear the rolling over,

the bump against the cradle side.

You’re ready to move on;

I’m not ready to allow it.

I will keep this time

at least a minute more. The days rush

my life with babies

into

cribs and sitting, standing,

talking-yes, talking.

I imagine too soon you will be asking

to have friends over

and can you make pancakes?

And then, “is it okay to

take the car to go over to Alicia’s to

do homework?”

No, I don’t want to hear the rolling over,

bumping against the  side.

I will keep this moment--

leaning over,

bringing you into bed

with soft blankets,

at my breast.

This morning

all that you need-

me and this minute.