Tra la la la la. I’m in Colorado, which I where I lived for 15-some years of my life and its the home o’ my heart, to be sure. I CRY the first time I see the mountains. Every time.
I flew in a couple of days ago for a wedding and the rental car company saw fit to give me this jaunty little buttery yellow thang, with a sun roof no less. And I’ve read three books and chatted up all sorts of friends and family. And married off a cousin whom I cradled when she was a baby. And cradled another’s cousin infant for the first time. It’s the good life.
The only downside was missing my daughters in their big, final, city-wide swim meet. My husband text-messaged me during the entire thing, especially when our elder water bug won the breast stroke for her age group. Won.
It just bowls me over that they grow up and take on the world like this, our little ones.
So, I know it’s not poetry friday but I found a swimming poem that I thought I’d post, in honor. And pride. And all that…
Swimming Lessons
by Lisa Hammond Rashley
Minnows and their moms
hurry in no running
no floaties they bob
in the shallow end feet
lighter than the air outside
humid hot hold your nose
dunk then sleek heads
break water gasp in air
The Other Colorado
I grew up in Colorado 12 miles from the Kansas border. After 6 weeks in Germany in high school (the greenest, lushest place I’d ever been in my life) I cried when we broke free of Aurora and drove out onto the empty, khaki, flat high plains. BOTH Colorados seem to inspire deep psychic connections!
Mary Lee
Re: The Other Colorado
We drove through the prairie parts of Colorado, too, growing up, and I remember incredible storms. And rainbows.
Yay for your daughter!
Love that poem and love posting poetry on days other than Friday, too!
Jules at 7-Imp
Thanks, Jules! Everyday is good for poetry, and daughters…
Re: mountain love
That’s how I felt when we moved to the midwest, Amy. Exposed and a little vulnerable. Now I’ve been a Texan for about 15 years so I’ve got a whole array of landscapes in my heart. But still…
Hope you have fun! And congrats to your daughter on winning the breast stroke for her age group–that is so awesome! Here’s to many more you get to see for yourself.
I just read about YOUR little swimmer! Congrats right back…