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Tuesday 23 August 2011

The Intensely Loved

 

 

The intensely loved and cherished child
Can suffer late.
Waiting innocently through
The too few summers
Spent in total love.

Above him still, the parents’ strength
Prescribes the length
His loving years shall run,
Before time’s taint reveals his ancient face
Beneath the slowly peeling paint
Of pictures placed
To keep the knowing day at bay,
And stay completion of the plan
To mould the clay, in such a way
He grows a sold and silent man.

Unless time slays his rising sun
To extinguish all sensation
In one swift and savage stroke,
Before a doubt is spoken,
Or disaffection’s woken
From his learning touch.

He perhaps, expects too much.
Such is the faith of infants,
Secure within their fragile skin,
 So thinly wrought in thoughtful art,
 The heart’s wild wishes can depart,
But disenchantment can’t see in.

© James Rainsford 2011



Note to readers: Posted as my contribution to Open Link Night at dVerse Poets. Your views are welcome. Please click on the comments tab below. I'll try to respond to all who visit here
My kind regards to all, James.

13 comments:

  1. James! What a fantastic presentation! The look on the lads face in the photo is priceless...much like this wonderful write. A little sad in tone, as I am forced to think of all we loose in our up and comings in this world...but that look on that child, my goodness...I can remember smiling like that! Thank you!

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  2. A thin line indeed, wonderful rhyming pace too!

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  3. A parents adoring love, instead of a daycare worker and teachers. I was blessed to just watch my little ones laugh (and cry) and enjoy all their exploring and discovering. Freedom and joy replaced by the regimen of school and peer pressure... It is so hard for me to let them go and get hurt, to fail. But summer comes to an end, and off they went, go and will go and that is the way of life. But that face in the photo... REALLY tugs at my heart strings. Now I must go hug and squeeze my 3 year old... ;)

    I love your writing because it is so "real" - it connects with experiences many people have.

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  4. Deeply touching-- when that time of innocence is stolen, it's a tragedy-- I loved these lines--

    To keep the knowing day at bay,
    And stay completion of the plan
    To mould the clay, in such a way
    He grows a sold and silent man.

    Did you mean sold or solid? Love your work, James. xxxj

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  5. Interesting play of end sounds/rhyme here exploring that rite of passage - boy to man and the way it molds each one. Well done. G.

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  6. I like innocence and joy in his face.

    Like these lines:

    He perhaps, expects too much.
    Such is the faith of infants,
    Secure within their fragile skin,
    So thinly wrought in thoughtful art,
    The heart’s wild wishes can depart,
    But disenchantment can’t see in.

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  7. Very adroit use of language, and full of insight into the human condition--as always with your writing, James. I especially like the closing lines.

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  8. Last weeks post and this weeks both show a great deal of understanding about children, and that knowledge is extensively packaged in the form of two brilliant poems. Too bad more men don't appreciate or understand the knowledge you have shared her.

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  9. As I read this wonderful poem, I pondered on the depth of innocent trust, recalling how I woke each day to the belief that imagination ruled the world, adults were an unknown species, pains could be eliminated by a mother's kiss or a cartoon bandaid, fairy tales had happily ever after endings, and star wishes were guarantees. Such a precious time... like an alternate reality to me now. For me, this poem is multi-layered. That is likely my perception from my personal experience. The best poetry lets each reader take personal ownership of the emotions stirred, don't you agree? Bravo! Very much enjoyed.

    Beth

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  10. Look at that child - there is just pure joy on that boy's face, goodness. Beautiful bit of language here too James, your insight into and understanding of children explored through your words is adept and beautiful - touching all around.

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  11. Too soon we grow and harded...that childhood such a blessing...bkm

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  12. Hm... need to think about your words. I do believe my sons would fit into the character of your piece. I think it made them better men.

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  13. hey James

    always a pleasure to hear your strong poetic voice matrix as you describe strong ideas.

    i dont have children but i think i would worry so much for their future disapointments - it must be a tough aspect of thoughtful parenting.
    so easy t lay our disappointmnets at the feet of our fathers.

    thanks James

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If you wish your views and opinions to be published here, please be polite and respectful. I welcome feedback on my work and will try to respond if you take the trouble to post a comment. Thanks for visiting 'The Sanctum of Sanity.' Hope you enjoyed the experience, James.