for Christopher, Brennen, & Everett
photo by Kolby Milton for unsplash
A waterlily blushes pink,
a mica stone glints, a crinkled
skin found beneath a maple’s shade
glistens at my back door—treasures three
boys leave during a summer stay
near ancestors’ graves that skirt
St. John’s in the Wilderness
where their grandmother’s grandfather
once served as August priest,
and although I am no
babe, and there is no manger,
these gift-bearing guests
appear like magi—the oldest
so open-hearted his smile
flashlights the night, his brother
riveted by slight ruffles in grass
catches blue-tailed skinks.
Barely four, the youngest
flourishes a peacock feather, befriends
spiders on my porch.
And although they ride
bikes, not camels, and are too new
in this world to grasp
how their gestures bless,
I pray someday, years from now,
they will open a door and find a child
cradling a nest.
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Karen,
What a lovely tribute to Christopher, Brennen, & Everett. I enjoyed the beautiful imagery. As a nature lover, the boys gifts of the waterlily, the mica stone, and the crinkled skin under the maple’s shade touched me. The mention of blue-tailed skinks and the boys riding their bikes, not camels, made me smile. We are blessed with so many gifts if we’ll just take the time to look, listen, and open our hearts. Thank you for sharing your poem and your hope for our future.
What a lovely poem! I love your imagery. This is a wonderful gift and thank you for sharing.
This is lovely, Karen. Such attention to detail. Thank you.
Great imagery. I can see and hear those little ones bringing their gifts. Thanks for sending your email. We receive many little gifts that we often take for granted. In my life lately, I am receiving many little gifts that make a huge difference.
Karen,
As always, your poems are lovely. I can see these 3 small boys leaving their treasures .Your poem was a gift as well.