Memories of Pets – NaPoWriMo Day7

Posted on April 8, 2011 by moonbridgebooks

Our neighbor’s big tiger cat came to visit the other day and left a present in our backyard – a dead baby rabbit. Thank you, Pumpkin. Our own cats are not above chasing live toys around, but the first big hunter in my life was a cat my mother named Tiger because she could not say Genghis Khan. As a teen I’d be awakened by screaming and run out in the middle of the night, bathrobe on, flashlight in hand, to chase down our ferocious baby rabbit killer. I’ve got lots of pet memories. You’ve probably got them, too. Don’t forget your pets when you write your life stories down. (I will spare you the photograph for this poem.)

Tiger, Tiger, burning bright
In the meadows of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could imagine how hard I’d try
To rescue all the little creatures
Before you’d tear apart their features.

Oh, what teeth and what art
Could pain the sinews of my heart.
When the rabbit heart would beat
What fear would still his little feet
Until your teeth would grab his neck
And he would scream and squirm like heck.

Did Tiger smile his work to see,
Did He who made the lamb make thee?!

(There’s a name for this type of poem, which uses something previously written as its base, in this case William Blake’s The Tyger.)

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
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Memories of our babies – NaPoWriMo Day6

Posted on April 6, 2011 by moonbridgebooks

My first child was born, along with all the other spring flowers, in April. Her birthday is always at the height of nature’s beauty. I adore the photo of her as a curious toddler reaching for tulips. Some mothers write poems or letters to their babies for them to read when they are grown. (Fathers can do this, too!) Writing down sweet memories of your child’s baby days is a precious gift to them. My baby turns 21 next week, but oh, I remember when she was little.

In April when the flowers bloom
And bring respite from winter’s gloom,
My thoughts turn to a little girl,
More treasure to me than any pearl.

Her little face, so sweet and round,
I loved no matter she smiled or frowned,
When her tiny fingers clung to me,
I never wanted to set her free.

And yet there comes a time for all
To let their children fly or fall.
We let them know our love for them
And wait for a chance to hug again.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
Posted in letters, poems, writing prompt | 1 Comment

Memories of a neighborhood – NaPoWriMo Day5

Posted on April 5, 2011 by moonbridgebooks

One thing I love about our neighborhood is the age range of the residents. From newborns to the ninety-plus-years-old couple two doors down, there is life all around. What do you find special about your neighborhood?

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Benchwarmers

I went to fetch the newpaper,
And there was my neighbor
Sitting on the ledge of our terrace wall.
I put aside my plans and joined him,
Tempted by the joyous spring sun
And an old friend I had missed during winter.

We chatted and laughed, exchanging gossip,
Watched the children walk home from school,
Said hi to those who passed by,
Just as neighbors do.

The nip of a breeze finally sent him in,
With hugs and promises of future chats.
He rose carefully, and took small slow steps
Up the street to a wife who probably worried
What took her husband so long
To gather in the sun.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com

Posted in poems, writing prompt | 2 Comments