A Brand New Start

I love them

I love them all so much I could cry

I want to carry them 

together under my arms

hold them close to my chest

treasure them

take them with me

nestle them

rest them at my bedside

cherish them

nurture them in my bed

admire their beauty 

respect their secrets 

I’ll wait in the unknown 

just a while longer

enjoying infinite mysteries

contemplating their lives

their loves

their losses

how far they've travelled 

keeping themselves closed

wondering what they might 

be compelled to disclose

when eventually 

the time arrives

to turn a fresh new page

and welcome 

a brand new start. 

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my goodness Ms. Laura! i am left with such a mystery as to who "they" are?? perhaps all past experiences .. and your protagonist has come to a place where there is acceptance of responsibility for all choices ..accepts all consequences without blame nor bitterness .. can "cherish them" ..."treasure them" ... but for me..this is all about ones children ... and letting them go .. as scary as that always is .. trusting we have given them all we can and that, along with their own ingenuity and strength .. they have enough to shoulder their own lives .. either take on this is intimate ...personal .. very real and packed with wisdom .. great inspiring read for me :) with all that going for it..i couldn't care less about rhyme and rhythm and edits ;)))))))))))))))))))))))
E.

[Laura Kate]

Thank you E! I toyed with the idea of making explicit who or what 'they' are, but I loved the idea of readers being able to attach their own beloved person or thing in its place. I will review this at a later date with rhythm and edits in mind.

Thanks again for your kind and encouraging review!
With best wishes,
Laura

[barleygirl]

THIS IS KILLER GOOD! I've never read anything like it! So fresh & inventive, I was intensely involved in reading on, to find out WHAT this could be about (even tho, in my heart, the whole time I knew this would end up being whatever I wanted to read it as). I especially love the way you use various terms of endearment in bright affectionate ways which don't come off sounding a bit trite or predictable, even tho the sentiments you express are fairly traditional. This made me want to cradle this thing, whatever it is, into my own belly, just as you were describing it. This thing, to me, is self-esteem -- everyone should learn to cradle & cherish it! This is really brilliant writing! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Laura Kate]

Margie, thank you a million times! Your reviews are so kind and so wholehearted, which inspires me, and I appreciate that so much. Thank you!!
Laura.

[barleygirl]

This poem feels very wholehearted . . .

[R.E. Ray]

Ah, so the reader gets to choose "them?" Clever, Laura. As a dad, I initially read "them" as young children. Then, I thought (odd as I am), it could be pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, snakes, etc.), or it could be the lost souls you find on social media, maybe even a few in the Cafe. Your words carry a warmth and sincerity that says "thank you"... regardless of who "them" might be. Great write, Laura.

[Laura Kate]

Thank you RE, really enjoyed reading your review, thanks for sharing your thought process with this one! Laura.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i think of this as allegory...having children and when they are born wondering what is in store for them as their lives grow...but i also feel this is much like birthing poetic thoughts and wondering what is in store for them as well...after all, poems are our children, are they not?

nice write, Laura...
and so universal...the "they" can be identified by each reader.
j.

[Laura Kate]

Thank you Jacob. Poems certainly do feel like children. I always wanted a big family which explains why so many make their way onto my book case...
:)

I really appreciate your review Jacob, with best wishes,
Laura

[Curtis.Lenker]

Great work here. I loved this piece. I know what its like to have a new start in life. Every day is a new start to become a better person or try something new.

[Laura Kate]

Thank you so much for your lovely review, and for coming across my page. Lovely to have you here! With best wishes,
Laura

[Curtis.Lenker]

your very welcome. can not wait to read more from you

[Laura Kate]

So happy to hear this, and me of yours!