His Valerie In The Sky

Inspired by a car ride home with my son, one of his first hints that he was indeed, growing up.

seasons promptly trade places
as frost-bitten fingers open
to the charming warmth of
untrodden petals offering sunshine

his wide, youthful eyes tilt skyward
brimming with the potential
that "maybe" offers so sweetly;
the hearty allowance of adolescence

a passing silhouette of clouds
gently whispers of her memory,
her face set in optimistic blue
and puppy love transcends the playground

he leans on an experienced ear,
wondering if infatuation is kind
still clinging to maybe, hopeful
his affecting Valerie is looking up...

and thinking of him too

Author's Note

Your honest thoughts are welcome, thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Delightful moments you have captured here of time spent with your son. Those little nuggets that stay with us and make us smile in years to come. How could you ever forget this? Wonderfully conveyed poem Travis. Warms the heart.

Chris

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Chris... you've left me feeling accomplished!

[Chris Shaw]

So you should be :)

[KWP]

this is such a great picture of you hanging with your son facing life front on but keeping the infinite poetic possibilities within the realm of magic we call life. this makes me smile, small moments with those we adore for no other reason that they are essentially us ... you have a very nice poetic vibe :D

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you... this indeed was a moment to adore. I'm pleased I've seemed to have done it some kind of poetic justice within this piece.

[mattavelli]

Hello, Travis! :)
This is lovely. It reminds me of when my wife was my girlfriend, and life was less rigid.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Yes, those less rigid times many of us miss. Thanks for the kind review.

[Earl]

Lovely, puppy love is the best thing to happen to a young child

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

That it is, and it was one of the greatest things to experience, organically. Thank you for the wonderful thoughts.

[Ruth]

The wonderfulness of your writing Travis is that it flows so effortlessly and is a blessing to read. So many visions I had during this, the name lingered before I read the poem, the son and father discussion and contact, a closeness that is always a gift to behold...I could envision this car ride, so beautifully rendered :)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Ruth, your thoughts are truly humbling.

[Davidgeo]

"the hardy allowance of adolescence"
… that my friend is one of the better lines you'll find anywhere.

I'm not entirely sure what to make of this poem. Is it love or is it lust? At that age, what's really the difference?

At any age, actually. Even the middle aged and above can find a crush or an object of lust if they're very lucky.

Puppylove is ageless for the very lucky. The years dull the excitement for pretty much all of us eventually unfortunately.

Thank god for pornhub… if you ever find a gal who's not afraid of porn, don't let go.
(this was less of a review and more of me just rambling, sorry about that)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

It's more than ok, no need to apologize. I know that the words just pick us up, and carry us sometimes. Lol Thank you for the great review tho, rambling included. Lol

[Einstein Noodle]

you were blessed in that ride weren't you Mr. Travis!? what i see most in this poem is a pretty close and special relationship between father and son ... for him to seek advice about anything is near miracle as it gets ... teen rebellion being what it is ;) these lines for me are especially profound:
"he leans on an experienced ear,
wondering if infatuation is kind" ... me thinks in most cases it is not ... it brings with it too much insanity to care much at all ... for anything but its own fire and blaze ... smooth read ... sticks to the theme ... characters and scene easy to relate to ... being Da of 2 boys and 2 girls ... all grown ..great use of the language sir! well done!
E.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Yes, I was indeed blessed during that ride home. I'm a father of 6, and it's been nothing but a blessing. I'm thankful another father has found it so affecting.

[Einstein Noodle]

its a keeper sir! :)

[John the Baptist]

I like the way the first verse acts as a symbol for the boy, spring being a symbol for adolescence. What follows is a tender picture of young love. Also liked the thought of the youth leaning on "an experienced ear," and wondering "if infatuation is kind." I hope he was given realistic advice. Young love can be a rough ride sometimes.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Young love is indeed a rough ride. i hope I said exactly what needed to be said to preserve his sense of hope & possibility. Thank you for such a sincere review... your time and words are appreciated.

[Sami Khalil]

Coming of age, listening to wiser ears, spreading the wings of freedom, searching for own path... A gorgeous poem about a son unfurling those wings, learning to fly in reality helped by a wise father and poet.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

A coming of age indeed, fatherhood is truly a gift. Thank you for the glowing review, and sincere insight, good friend.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome sir.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Judy Fracaro in grade school was my Valerie.
damn, i love this...
the first stanza just blew me away....and i never got back until the end.
splendid phrasing and crisp imagery, Travis.
wow!!!!!!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

My "Valerie" was a young lady named, Victoria. I was one of the unfortunate young men, who learns that liking someone doesn't mean they will like you in return. Thank you for the humbling thoughts on this piece, your perspective is always appreciated.