Care-Keeper
by Timothy Reed
A muffled cry on eggshell air
pressing down; holds fast the earth.
My empty vault of words to spare
but just two arms for what they're worth.
Two arms like time's arms, growing fat;
they jumped and spun, began to win
with my arms bound and tongue held fast
I watched you shrink with spirit thin
as winter marched in hot July
and ate you up with victor's cry
He spat you out one dark-filled night
but didn't weigh the acorn's might.
I carried that husk on in me
and only by great pains did it shrink
at last I had made some small room free
to add a new aim: a golden link.
A lily upon the time-worn grave
of my old charge, my old dear care
fully of memories strong-clinging to air.
Suddenly a new start,
new and fresh to daily learn -
my new subject, love's dark burn
and I became a better man
for every blood-drop shed, hard-changed plans
and then a third, a nursery
and all my captive fears set free.
They learned to fly and daily make
my heart a warmer home of peace
when freed from brazen fear and take
heart, that as a steward I earn my keep.
_____________
*form roughly based on Sylvia Plath's "Family Reunion"
No comments:
Post a Comment