A grown child, daydreaming still,
buckles his children into the backseat.
He always wanted children, but
he could only imagine
generic children,
embodied joy for his wife,
a practical, loving, patient,
future-focused soul.
The car is loaded, children & backpacks,
driver & briefcase. They sing & poke,
squeal & complain, erupt in a
laughter, an intimacy with
an expiration date. A timeline
that he alone knows.
He's nostalgic for now even now.
The grown child, new to selflessness,
(signal on, hands at ten & two)
imagines a future where they're grown,
where they are burdened like him with
all they are,
all they've chosen,
all they dream.
And he, the future-he, now old, is
elsewhere, a phone call
forgotten another day. Maybe
tomorrow, the future-they think.
For now, he parks the car,
he unfastens the belts,
he kisses their fragrant heads
good morning
as they leave.
The day is long & bright
and calls them to now,
to learn, to play.
[After Ruth Moose's The Crossing]
Oh my gosh, chills. There are too many beautiful lines here, stay-with-me moments, but this one: “He’s nostalgic for now even now.” I am so very glad I read this today, Joel. Thanks. (I’m thinking some son-grown writing is on the horizon, “And [s]he, the future [s]he, now old…” Also appreciate finding Ruth Moose for the first time.)
I was soft smiles and teary eyes while reading this poem. Incredible. “This child new to selflessness…” and intimacy with an expiration date.” and “kisses their fragrant heads” – WOW! I will visit again and again. So beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
middleagedmiddlechild. 
12 responses to “morning routine, 2015.”
Oh my gosh, chills. There are too many beautiful lines here, stay-with-me moments, but this one: “He’s nostalgic for now even now.” I am so very glad I read this today, Joel. Thanks. (I’m thinking some son-grown writing is on the horizon, “And [s]he, the future [s]he, now old…” Also appreciate finding Ruth Moose for the first time.)
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Thanks so much! Love beginning my courses with that Ruth Moose poem
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He’s nostalgic for now even now….CUE SOBBBBINNGGGGGGGG.
I love everything about this. Joel, you are a gorgeous writer. GORGEOUS.
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thanks, friend. I showed it to Michelle last night, and she was, all, “The cats in the cradle and the silver spoon” : )
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I also immediately thought of Cats in the Cradle. This poem says so much and with great emotions. Amazing!!
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I appreciate you!
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“he kisses their fragrant heads” Of all the lines this one makes me just sigh with all kinds of emotions. Thank you for this one, Joel.
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They’re seven years older now, and I can still conjure up in my mind each of their fragrances at any moment : )
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I was soft smiles and teary eyes while reading this poem. Incredible. “This child new to selflessness…” and intimacy with an expiration date.” and “kisses their fragrant heads” – WOW! I will visit again and again. So beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
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thank you so much for your encouragement in SOL22!
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“an intimacy with an expiration date” — phew — that line hit me. You have such a gift!
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thank you so much, friend!
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