Monday, October 1, 2012

Lullaby


Today, Swagger begins the October Memoir & Backstory Blog Challenge. A new post every day for 25 days, one for each age from birth to age 25. I start Birth to Age 2 with a poem.

LULLABY
  by Kathy Cannon Wiechman

I lean my head against the plump bosom
And listen to the lilt of the lullaby.
The German words hold no meaning for me,
But their soothing sound comforts like Mommy.
Soothing, comforting, lulling.

I coo my version of the words.
She smiles and calls me “Katalein.”
Not “Kathy,” like Mommy and Daddy say.
Different, yet similar, and said with love.
Cooing, smiling, “Katalein.”

Her chest rises with each breath,
Keeping time with the creak of the rocker,
Her heartbeat adding to the rhythm of the words.
I struggle to stay awake, to hear the song.
Breathing, creaking, beating.

Her fleshy arms enfold me, hold me close.
I snuggle in and suck my thumb.
My body gives in, and my eyes close.
I feel safe and loved.
Listening, sucking, snuggling,
Feeling the woman’s love.
When I learn to talk,
I will call her “Grandma.”

24 comments:

  1. Lovely memory, and I love that you've written it as a poem.

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    1. Thanks, Gerry. Poetry was where I began my writing career, so it seemed appropriate to use it to describe the beginnings of my life.

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    1. Thanks, Alexandra. I'm so glad you stopped by today, & I hope you're enjoying the blog challenge as much as I am.

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  3. A beautiful poem. I love how you've written it from the point of view of a baby who doesn't yet understand speech. Wonderful start to this challenge!

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    1. Thanks, Jane. And thanks putting the challenge out there. What fun!

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  4. What a lovely start!

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    1. Thanks, Juliet. I'm eager to see what the rest of you do for this. I know there'll be some great posts.

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  5. Superb as always Kathy, do you see me bowing to the Queen of Words?

    LOVE the photograph,

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    1. Thanks, Jon, it's one of the few pictures I have of me & Grandma. And I bow in return to the King of Story.

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  6. I love how this is so particular and yet speaks universally. Made me think of my Grandma! Beautiful.

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    1. Thanks, Joy. Glad it made you think of your grandma. Hope it's a sweet memory.

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  7. Awww. Just like a baby would say it all. I love the rhythm of the poem, and the way it ends with Grandma. Really nice.

    Dr Margaret Aranda
    www.drmargaretaranda.blogspot.com
    www.girlpowerinamm.blogspot.com

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    1. So it is, Lara. And it can also be spoken with no words at all.

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  9. I love the photo of you with your grandma, Kathy, and your poem filled with love!

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  10. Wow! That was gorgeous.

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