April
Barbara Shepherd
Wales, UK
I have not seen her for a few months. When I hear her calling from the
gate -- I know it is her, before I recognise her. I leave the car, engine
running, and rush over.
She tells me she left Uni after the first
semester and is now jobbing until she finds out what to do. Her face
yet rounder, she looks younger again -- and well. I tell her so. She smiles.
Even our self-consciousness is tender -- as we recognise each other.
Not the sun...in
April -
...your face...shines*
I pass her in the car again as she closes
the gate after her bike, and we both wave.
Not mother, not daughter -
my love, so much younger
in you
* Inspired as this was, of course, by April
(name changed) -- my thanks and appreciation also go to the unknown 20th century
German poet, who wrote the poem below. It came back into my mind through
the encounter reported here:
"When I see you,
The sun rises -
Can't be, you say?
You only think so, because
You don't see yourself when another
Recognises you."
(translated into English by BS)
Next
Read "Cabin Fever" by Gene Williamson
