Henry and Sophie, Hilton Head Island, 2010 |
First Lesson
Lie back daughter, let your head
be tipped back in the cup of my hand.
Gently, and I will hold you. Spread
your arms wide, lie out on the stream
and look high at the gulls. A dead-
man's float is face down. You will dive
and swim soon enough where this tidewater
ebbs to the sea. Daughter, believe
me, when you tire on the long thrash
to your island, lie up, and survive.
As you float now, where I held you
and let go, remember when fear
cramps your heart what I told you:
lie gently and wide to the light-year
stars, lie back, and the sea will hold you.
be tipped back in the cup of my hand.
Gently, and I will hold you. Spread
your arms wide, lie out on the stream
and look high at the gulls. A dead-
man's float is face down. You will dive
and swim soon enough where this tidewater
ebbs to the sea. Daughter, believe
me, when you tire on the long thrash
to your island, lie up, and survive.
As you float now, where I held you
and let go, remember when fear
cramps your heart what I told you:
lie gently and wide to the light-year
stars, lie back, and the sea will hold you.
Philip Booth
My, that is so perfect.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me cry.
ReplyDeleteStill makes me cry every time. What a gorgeous picture of Henry and Sophie. So much sweetness.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very lovely photo!
ReplyDeleteHow do the lovely poems bring tears...
Damn.
ReplyDeleteYes.
Everything.
Thanks to Vesuvius. She caught you and you daughter and your love perfectly in that poem.
ReplyDeleteThe picture is....well, it's beyond beautiful.
Makes me cry too. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteOh lordy...crying my eyes out.
ReplyDeleteWow. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeletewow. just. perfect.
ReplyDeletebeautiful. Thank you.
ReplyDelete