Learning to Play at Eighty As a young child I drew, painted, modeled clay hunted for fossils, swung on vines— ran free in acres, woods Then bore a son: malformed heart, stroke, hospitals, blood Calls too close to count I couldn’t find my skin Bullied, shunned in school and out Days clutched by fear, grief, a mother’s feral fury How could they? Now old, and my son fifty-one time at last, inclination to play office become studio table strewn with paints
Hooray for painting! And what a succinct, poignant history relayed in this poem. The reader shares the narrator's sorrow and fury, too... and relief, at last, as the title so well says, "learning to play." And at eighty! Bravo, you!
It was a very tough twenty years. More, really. But hey, that's behind us. His body is slowly deteriorating, but his spirit is so very bright. I really enjoy his company when we get together.
a mother's feral fury - oh yes!
Thank you so much for noticing that line. It holds a large truth!
Hooray for painting! And what a succinct, poignant history relayed in this poem. The reader shares the narrator's sorrow and fury, too... and relief, at last, as the title so well says, "learning to play." And at eighty! Bravo, you!
Honestly, life-changing. Thanks, Jan.
Yes! for play. Diane Ackerman wrote Deep Play, a lovely (non-fiction) book about its importance. Good for you, Amrita!
Thank you, Jane!
I really loved today’s poem . Learning to play….such a gift, regardless of when it is unwrapped.
Thank you, Arvada! Yes, it IS a huge gift! I've also taken up making sourdough bread. Today's loaves, olive-thyme-Parmesan, thrilled my husband!
This was moving. A deeply difficult and touching journey.
Thank you, Stephen. Yes, both of those.
Gosh that sounds tough. But how wonderful to have this life now with your son and be able to PLAY! Bravo.
It was a very tough twenty years. More, really. But hey, that's behind us. His body is slowly deteriorating, but his spirit is so very bright. I really enjoy his company when we get together.
a blessing to us all!
aww, thank you!