In the Balance
She,
Up on toes,
Then hands on hips,
Strutting end
To end.
Push up into
The bridge,
Cartwheel,
Roll
And roll.
Jump and reach
The branch,
Now pull
Up into it,
Mulberries –
Pass them round,
While she plays –
Fingers on keys,
Strings,
Nose in book,
Daughter climbs,
Now sleeping,
Before expected.
She,
Arched-foot stomp,
Arm-swing inkstain,
Pacing out
The woods.
Bend them into
The tree,
Cobra.
Strech
And stretch.
Ease into
Movement,
Now pull
Down toward it,
Cherry bowl –
Pass them round,
Break of day –
Fingers on keys,
Strings,
Nose in book,
Mother sits,
Now sleeping,
Before expected.
Prompted by this post on Balance over at the dVerse Poets Pub. Always fun to stretch a little…maybe do a cartwheel…
I enjoy the almost linear, stretched-out shape of this, Emily…so well represents the treatment of the poem.
smiles…there is magic in this emily…your words are like a dance and i rather love the fresh fruit and the touches on nature as well…
nice job & i love the dance of yoga, it always makes me feel better balanced
it feels a bit like the olympic acrobats, or a child imagining herself there =)
This brought images of a martial art or spiritual bodily exercise to mind, like Tai Chi. I’m not sure that that is what is going on, since I also think it is about a mom watching her daughter explore and be the world. Whichever, it is a lovely exercise in experiencing oneness with the world, as body and soul.