Christmas Eve. Strange that today would have been my father's 73rd birthday. And this morning began by hearing our baby's heartbeat on the Doppler. Strange this thing of departure and arrival. I can only picture the old man's face at the news of a coming grandchild. Of hearing those tiny butterfly wings the first time.
And it started me thinking how my child might know the world in which I grew up, so many of its once familiar landmarks already gone...so much of it already foreign to me.
I want to wish all who read this the very best of holidays.
* * *
How you'll know me
A father's poem
If you find a city of steel
mountains shading sleepy luncheonettes
Know that I walked here
If you find a night of neon
kisses in a garden of saxophones
Know that I loved here
If you find a river of iron
legs and a thousand wooden ladders
Know that I prayed here
And in that place
we all begin, under the Heartbeat-tree
Know that I too was held
And loved
And was given sleep.
Beautiful poem!
Posted by: Nina | December 24, 2005 at 11:14 AM
Siiiiiighhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Thank you for sharing that.
Posted by: Sarah | December 24, 2005 at 12:51 PM
Amen
Posted by: sharon | December 24, 2005 at 01:04 PM
I don't think I've ever commented on your blog, Charlie, but I've been reading since the beginning, and I want to tell you that that poem is one of the loveliest things I've read. Thank you for sharing it.
Posted by: Danielle | December 25, 2005 at 12:35 PM
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. For all your superlatively written, always worth reading posts, and for this poem, which has finally prompted me to comment for the very first time.
Posted by: Roz | December 26, 2005 at 08:16 AM
Holy Shit, it's a Christmas/Hanukkah MIRACLE...my MOM commented on a blog!!
See the power your words have, Charlie? Don't ever put that poetry to bed permanently, because even if you only write one poem a year, it is worth the wait.
Posted by: Sarah | December 26, 2005 at 11:50 AM
Your poetry is beautiful. Keep writing. And hoping.
Posted by: Anna | December 27, 2005 at 05:12 PM
OMG that is beautiful - I have goosebumps! I would buy your book in a minute if you ever wrote one.
Lisa O
Posted by: Lisa O | December 29, 2005 at 10:23 AM
Lisa -
Thanks. Actually I did write one, in the mid 90s. But no publisher wanted it. So if you know any rich publishers...
Posted by: Charlie | December 29, 2005 at 10:31 AM
Wow. There's a quality in this poem that feels new. I think it's because you are becoming a father.
Posted by: julie | December 29, 2005 at 11:12 AM
Wow, this is wonderful, Charlie. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: libby | December 30, 2005 at 02:06 PM
That poem gave me shivers. Fantastic.
Posted by: Elise | January 02, 2006 at 11:10 PM