What He Could Do
(For my husband on our anniversary)
Strip the finish off old, ugly furniture and
make it new and beautiful.
Replace countertops and cupboard doors and
make them new and beautiful.
Honor tradition.
Create art out of a salvaged beam and
make it new and beautiful.
Hold all of my hand, autumn yellow oak leaf, in his.
Hold all of my body, winter log on the fire, in his.
Carry his beaming baby girl along with him
to feed the chickens, depositing fresh eggs in his pocket.
Plant raspberry starts. Pit cherries.
Thin rows of carrots, spinach, chard.
Sing with bravado, speak with reason.
Weigh options, consequences, possibilities
against the backdrop of all America.
Love his wife, laugh with his children, and
stand at the stove patiently stirring a pot of soup.
--Kathryne Keinert
16 July 2011.
--with thanks to Elizabeth Holmes for her inspiration,
“What She Could Do.”
I like the line:
ReplyDelete"Weigh options, consequences, possiblities
against the backdrop of all America"
Kate, This is wonderful. Hope your husband felt honored. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful poem! I love that you present all these different sides of your husband. You capture a nurturing side "patiently stirring a pot of soup", while still communicating how he exudes a certain manly gumption :) ---"speak with reason."
ReplyDeleteFor my conference, I would like input on the first stanza: content, design, eval. Not sure it's a strong enough opening or if it is too "expressive" and not "poetic" enough for a general audience.
ReplyDelete1. You are a wonderful writer, and this is a great tribute to your husband.
ReplyDeleteB. Why am I still awake?
How sweet poem it is. Ir's really pretty. Hope you have wonderful life with him forever!!!
ReplyDelete