Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Mag 46



When I was a child
I would run my fingers
Over embossed pictures of you
Sitting joyfully
In your mother's lap
And wonder
If I could sit in yours.
I would slide my creamy hand
Around your olive neck
And hold tight,
Burying my shame in your shoulder
And we would weep together
Over the loss of my innocence
And the unfairness of life.

I am older now
But not quite grown.
And I still long
For the intimacy of your embrace
Because even the joy of life is too much
To bear alone.
And I wonder
If you would gather me up, still
And let me, like beloved John,
Press my ear against your beating heart
And trace the softness of your beard
With a childlike hand.
Would I be able to drink in your scent
And let peace consume me
With every breath
As you gather my tears
Again

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9 comments:

  1. what tender intimacy you create...and i want that as well...to be held on the lap at times by the creator...

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  2. Thanks, Brian. It is wonderful to think of being held--because I suppose we never really outgrow that need. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!

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  3. This is beautiful, Lisa. I love it for it's honesty and imagery. I like that you acknowledge that even though we're older, we're not quite grown and don't have all the answers. I think this line, "Because even the joy of life is too much to bear alone" is genius. And I love the image of the child sitting in his lap, stroking his beard...lovely.

    P.S. my word verification is "dialn"....coincidence? I think not.

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  4. Beautiful, Lisa. Nice seeing you at Magpie again. Merry Christmas to you and yours! xx

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  5. What is especially poignant about
    this piece is your pointing out that
    faith flew off one day midst some
    despair, and today, looking back
    at your life and family, during this
    particular season, you are reminding
    us that love is the reason for it all,
    and the common denominator in
    all our lives.

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  6. Thank you, Melinda. Your comments are such encouragement to me because your comments are always so thoughtful and direct--love you :)

    Tess! Thanks for coming by--it's great to see you. I am sending you wishes for a merry Christmas, too.

    Hi Glenn. Thank you for coming by and for such kind comments. You're so right--love is the reason for it all!

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  7. bittersweet childhood memories.
    well done.

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  8. thank you for your words over at emilys today...

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  9. My pleasure, Brian--thank you for yours :)

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