For the Likes of Me!

 

He broke his stride for me

He threw me a rope

I

threw a rock

at his head

 

He was generous

It was his nature

 

I pushed (ahead)

I fought

 

I unbraided

the hair,

the hair

that was arranged hair by hair for me

 

I tore

at the clothes

so precisely sewn-

the fabric of life

I tore out

its eyes

I gouged them my doll

Pretty doll

my eyes

me

I fought

I screamed

I pushed

I ran, I ran,

and then I ran far away

and then I

hopped left

when he went right

 

I was taken aback

when he

leaned in

(Just) why

would He do it?

 

(For the likes

of me.)

He stayed. 

 

(My Biggest) Fault

 

Even so

My left hand rushes to finish

What my right hand has not completed

And my knees hold

What my hands cannot

Impatience.

©K Annie Powell

Mine

 

Thinking back

…I behold once more

the day

the hour

the time

My beloved’s twisted hands held me

close

as I sat perched

upon the long thick gnarled tree

Its limb a bench

a home

a niche of quiet

solitude

A place of rest

Leg’s dangling-

10 or so

 

It was any hour

It was

my hour

 

50 years later

I go there in my mind

to stop

and to ponder

what lies ahead

I examine dreams that are

now behind

me on the limb

I hold fast to

the quiet

 

                                                                                                   Happy Birthday Dad; April 8, 2021 

©K Annie Powell