2010-10-06 16:26:18swallow

To a Daughter Leaving Home (Happy Birthday, Son)




When I taught you

at eight to ride

a bicycle, loping along

beside you

as you wobbled away

on two round wheels,

my own mouth rounding

in surprise when you pulled

ahead down the curved

path of the park,

I kept waiting

for the thud

of your crash as I

sprinted to catch up,

while you grew

smaller, more breakable

with distance,

pumping, pumping

for your life, screaming

with laughter,

the hair flapping

behind you like a

handkerchief waving

goodbye

                 By  Linda Pastan

     

 

gj 2010-10-19 23:01:30

No, it isn't.

b 2010-10-16 00:26:50

Is this part of a textbook?