Well, since April's almost over . . .

I'm a huge fan of poetry. April is Poetry Month, but I haven't been completely inspired to share any of my favs, but last night, Darling and I were hanging out in the backyard. She was trying to conquer her fear of climbing down from the "Tower" of her wooden swingset and I was trying to conquer lawn care.

It was such a gorgeous evening and I was totally grooving out to the "fun" of raking and pruning and snapping twigs....I looked over at Darling who was singing something she learned on the Backyardigans and I was just overwhelmed by how much I loved her. If you're a parent, you'll understand those unexpected, out of nowhere rushes of love where you think, "Damn! That's MY kid and she/he is the most beautiful thing in the world".

I don't have any parental poems, but one of my favorites came rushing to my head last night.

When I was a little girl, a little older than Darling (ages 3-6ish), my dad and I would take "sunset walks". We'd take our fishing poles (I grew up at a lake) and we'd just go travelling down the seawall, not really fishing, just holding each other's hand, enjoying the sunset and water and the warm summer evening.

These walks were some of my happiest childhood memories. They were special Daddy/Daughter times and it was an exclusive party. No matter how much my little brother whined to go, he wasn't allowed. Just me. And my dad. I felt so special.

We'd just walk, talk, discuss politics (he found it particularly amusing to ask my opinions on Carter and Latin American Cold War Policy and Reganomics and the bizzare answers my little mind tried to come up with.) He even had a special poem that he would recite for me at the end of our walks. It was so perfect and to this day, it reminds me of him and perfect happiness.

Years later, in high school English class I came home one day and asked him, "Dad, did you used to recite "It Is a Beauteous Evening" to me when I was a little girl on our walks?" My dad just smiled and said, "Yes, I hope you can share that feeling with your kid someday."

Last night was the first night. Darling looked at me like I was crazy (a regular occurance, I assure you) and just said, "Pretty story, Mama" She's either exceedingly polite (we try) or a poetry lover in the making.

Anyway, my special poem, thanks, Daddy...Sorry we don't have the best of relationships now, but because of our walks, I know you love me no matter what.

It Is a Beauteous Evening
It is a beauteous evening, calm and free,
The holy time is quiet as a Nun
Breathless with adoration; the broad sun
Is sinking down in its tranquility;
The gentleness of heaven broods o'er the Sea;
Listen! the mighty Being is awake,
And doth with his eternal motion make
A sound like thunder - everlastingly.
Dear child! dear Girl! that walkest with me here,
If thou appear untouched by solemn thought,
Thy nature is not therefore less divine:
Thou liest in Abraham's bosom all the year;
And worshipp'st at the Temple's inner shrine,
God being with thee when we know it not.
~William Wordsworth




There, I'm done being sappy. Sorry for the cheesy post.