Poem 98: On a child leaving home

All shall know a time of knowing raindrops on the window.
Storm clouds break apart, bestowing raindrops on the window.

Woven branches of a boulder river’s plaited pattern
echo tangled paths of flowing raindrops on the window.

No sunshine in this early morning’s churlish rooster’s call.
Stay in bed! The cock’rel’s crowing “Raindrops on the window!”

Some folk imbibe a fear-filled brew, and full of sad dismay,
dread the storm, dislike the growing raindrops on the window.

The cellist plays a longing air of now-gone, buoyant years,
enthralled in thought, rapt in bowing raindrops on the window.

Bruce knows the time has come for you to step from where you grew.
Blurred sight hides your pathway going. Raindrops on the window.

Listen to this poem being read HERE!

829. Baby talkie walkie

(This story is best “experienced” by following the written words while listening to the audio)

The mother’s three daughters had all grown up and fled the nest. Once a year, they’d return at the same time and jolly their mother along for a few days and have a few rollicking laughs. Whenever they got together like that, they reverted to baby talk – not just in names (mother was Mumsy-Wumsy, Jennifer was Jenny-Henny-Penny, Sally was Sally-Wally-Bugsie-Pie, and April was Apie-Dopey-Dapey – but in the names for things as well. For example, a cabbage was a cabby-waggy, and a carrot was a yummy-yummy.

Anyway, they would go for walks…

“Look!” said Jennifer. “What an amazing butterfly!”

“Oh! It’s so pretty!” said Sally. April cupped the butterfly in her hands.

“You shouldn’t touch it,” said their Mum. “You might damage it wings. They’re so delicate.”

April opened her hands and tossed the butterfly into the air.

“There you go!” said April. “Free as a bird!”

“A butterfly is not a bird, you silly idiot,” giggled Jennifer.

How they enjoyed their little walks on such sunny afternoons; the four of them: Mum, Jennifer, Sally and April. It wasn’t much, but such walks were filled with moments that will be remembered forever.

To listen to the story being read click HERE!