I've come back to read this one again. The language flows and carries me along and then my emotions jolt to a stop at other moments. You do prose so well.
First, this is a brave and visual poem. The reader is on the road with you. Congratulations on 38 years--that is a huge deal.
Second, I thought I was already subscribed to you and was just finishing reading and ready to subscribe for real when I saw your message at the end of your post. I've been off Substack for more hours than usual this weekend (the fact that I can count it in hours and not days makes me feel a little goofy, but oh well) and am just seeing this now. I'm truly honored, LeeAnn. I'm so happy to be in community again with so many fine writers.
I think part of it, now that my kids are 31 and 33, is that we have such high hopes for them and with that comes some expectations. I'm trying to ditch the expectations but it's hard.
You painted a really gripping scene and a poignant story.
"It felt like the end of everything." As a line had so much depth considering the scenario... It's gravity increases for me as the second stanza developed.
I've come back to read this one again. The language flows and carries me along and then my emotions jolt to a stop at other moments. You do prose so well.
Thank you so much, Treasa. I love getting comments like this. I don't always know where the writing comes from when it strikes a chord.
Oof, this feeling, this moment, this deja vu is profoundly palpable! So excruciatingly painful.
Congrats on 38, that is fantastic!
Thanks, Jesse.
First, this is a brave and visual poem. The reader is on the road with you. Congratulations on 38 years--that is a huge deal.
Second, I thought I was already subscribed to you and was just finishing reading and ready to subscribe for real when I saw your message at the end of your post. I've been off Substack for more hours than usual this weekend (the fact that I can count it in hours and not days makes me feel a little goofy, but oh well) and am just seeing this now. I'm truly honored, LeeAnn. I'm so happy to be in community again with so many fine writers.
Thanks so much, Margaret. I'm so glad you liked it. And you are so welcome! I love your poems.
That line, "relief and disappointment" is a kick in the gut for all of us who hugely disappointed our parents at some time or other.
It is, and we've all done it at some point, at at many points.
I think part of it, now that my kids are 31 and 33, is that we have such high hopes for them and with that comes some expectations. I'm trying to ditch the expectations but it's hard.
Expectations get me in trouble all the time.
Yeah, me too. Hope and expectation are linked.
You painted a really gripping scene and a poignant story.
"It felt like the end of everything." As a line had so much depth considering the scenario... It's gravity increases for me as the second stanza developed.
Lovely writing.
Thanks so much, David.