Today’s reading is from the ever changing and growing series I call “The School Bus Poems.” This is the completely rewritten number one. I think I like it. I hope you enjoy.
1.
Weekday mornings on Bald Eagle Street
I’d wait for the bus. On winter days I’d hide
at the side of the house, by the dryer vent,
cupping damp warmth with woolen gloves as mom
in the cellar washed socks and jeans and sheets.
But Saturdays I would sit inside, close my eyes,
lean back against the machine. My feet tucked
in an empty laundry basket, I huddled up
to the hum and heat, soothed by the beat
of its rocking cycle, safe in my little cave.
These moments my world was my own
and small enough to see it all, the narrow
walk between our house and Aunt Cindy’s,
a slice of the street, a glimpse of the promise
of my back yard, even though the swing
was covered in ice. There were tunnels
in the snow back there, colder than my basement
cavern. I could defend behind white walls, gasping
dragon’s breath, from ledges lined with snowballs,
solid ammo to defend my fort from any foe,
the young hero, stirred and ready to emerge.
2 Comments
October 22, 2009 at 4:03 am
I see you still have that cock infatuation…sighs, rolls eyes
Anyhow…..I know you have another piece…the sonnet…which you feel maybe your ‘masterpiece’, however I have always thought that the School Bus poems had the potential to be your real signature, the first published substantial one that would mark you out as a ’serious’ crafter of poems. The time and effort you have put into them…and the personal aspect of them always marked them out for me. Funny this very verse is one I loved, when I first read it years ago now I guess, I knew it was a cracker when I found myself imagining, almost feeling what it was like to be crouched by the vent waiting for the bus. lol….I could see you (remember I have seen your kiddy pics) there so clearly in my mind.
I never found the series of six as really having the sadness you feel, for me the was a genuine nostalgic rememberance of a time and experience of a young boy dealing with his life and what his brothers got up to too….and a reflection on what was and what is now.
Comparing this verse to the original I have..well the first draft you shared with me….and now hearing and reading it as it has grown and fleshed out….and two more verse to be added….WOW!!!
October 23, 2009 at 2:06 am
Oh, thank god, I thought you were going to say that I change it too much! lol Good, I’m glad you like it. I was always uncomfortable with the lack of a proper ending, and knew it needed to simmer longer. Many of the others in this series are taking only a little editing and polish.
Well, the sonnet may be a long time coming. But yes, I do have a lot of childhood memory poems and the school bus poems will be a good collection, I think. Thank you for all you said. XO