Tyre Tracks in the Snow

A poem in collaboration with my friend Paul for my grandson Idris. I often drive over 30 miles a day to babysit him :-)

No snow overnight
my tyre tracks still visible
marking my daily
journey of love.

He's such a joy.

He brings love freshly formed

his heart a well of renewal
my heart is nourished.

Like a warm summer's day
 his smile and spontaneous laughter
replace the chill of a cold

calculating world.

His blues eyes revealing

wide-eyed innocence and wonder....
what has come before and what is to follow

matter little when wrapped

in his sweet embrace.

I look once more

at the tyre marks in the snow.
They trace a journey of love,

they mark our path.

All that I have learnt
I share with him in silent prayer,

transparent is my advice

indelible my love.

Author's Note

A note for my American and Canadian friends, 'tire' is usually spelled 'tyre' in Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia. This poem being another collaboration with my wonderful friend Paul from "down under" reflects this. I also personally feel the spelling lends a certain feeling of nostalgia. The idea for the poem came up when I was telling Paul about the time last year when NC had this much snow and I still drove the 30 miles to babysit.
Photo courtesy of ‘The Irish News‘.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Never having had or wanted kids, I marvel at the loving sacrifice people make for their kids & g-kids. Your poem brings this very much alive for me, revealing as much about YOU as about your grandson. Using the tyre-tracks symbol is a brilliant one, so much is conveyed . . . the drudgery of going out in the cold, the way the tracks still show up overnight (like your devotion), & so much more. Great poem! Almost made me wish I had g-kids (NOT!) *wink! wink!* Fondly, Margie

[Dara]

The tyre tracks were my friend’s idea. It was a wonderful experience writing together and of course about one of my favorite subjects. It seems we almost had you convinced ;-) I think not for everyone because it certainly changes your life but for me, the time I have with them is going way too fast! So good to see you here, Margie.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

This is beautiful I have yet to visit or see the snow in oz
My youngest son has been to Canada he loved it
I love your poem and the pic

[Dara]

There is nothing in the world such as a fresh blanket of snow. I imagine there are few if any chances to see much where you live. I just finished watching a television series on Amazon Prime that took place in Tasmania showing a few winter scenes. The landscape was magnificent. So nice to see you here, Julie. Thank you!

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Thanks yes hope to go one day
Cheers

[Pete]

i am christened with hope by your beautiful words. under your lens all is meaningless and pales in comparison to this unbreakable bond. nearly brought a tear to my eye as i read. wonderful analogy. bravo ... :)

[Dara]

Pete, I know I speak for both of us when I say your review truly touches the heart. People always used to tell me that having a grandchild is unconditional love at it’s finest. I am so happy that you able to see what we tried to express in our poem. God bless and keep safe!

[Einstein Noodle]

mmmmmmmots to think about .. i am grateful you shared your inspiration for this .. i have four children and at this time seven grandchildren ... the birth of humans, no matter who is present nor what faith they may or may not have .. can feel a miraculous presence ... at least that has been my experience ... there is a hush and an awe in those moments .. innocence is to be protected isn't it?! really charmed by your collaboration .. you both were on the same page for sure! and i like old English/Irish spellings of things .. i think you accomplished that certain aire you are shooting for ;)
E.

[Dara]

I can imagine you are probably one of the best grandfathers around! Thank you for sharing your warm thoughts and positivity my friend. Collaboration, especially with someone from a different culture, is so rewarding. I thoroughly enjoyed doing it with you awhile back:-) Have a very blessed day and may your week be a joyful one!

[Einstein Noodle]

same here Dara .. and right back at ya! :)

[emmajoy]

' Like a warm summer's day - his smile and spontaneous laughter - replace the chill of a cold -
calculating world. '

This, dear Dara, is as delightful and warm.. and loving.. and precious as any poem could be having shown great expanses of snow.!!! Dear lady, your words would melt an ice-cap though please don't.
From start to finish your words take the reader on a meandering journey wrapped in warmth.. but, that mention of those 'blue eyes , somehow told its own story.

A wonderful collaboration..

[Dara]

A thousand thank you’s dear Emma. It was truly a remarkable experience as both of us have those extraordinarily moments we have shared with our grandchildren. My children are the loves of my life and the grands are my heart! As for melting the ice caps, a simply adorable comment by the way, I am all about keeping them intact, too. :-D Have a wonderful week my friend!

[John the Baptist]

This is a moving testament of devotion. Not that many get to experience it. May those "tyre" tracks continue to be visible.

[Dara]

Thank you so much! Yes I am so very fortunate to spend these early years with my little nugget. He and my other grands often inspire my writing.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This is a wonderful sort of love dedication, both in verse and the conscious decision to take an active part in the life of a child. I enjoyed reading. It's a balmy evening here of about 64 degrees right now.

[Dara]

It sure doesn’t feel like winter but then all could change in just a matter of days. It is great to see you here and thank you for your very kind review. Your profile picture is just adorable. Children add so much to our lives.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

my folks retired to Whispering Pines and then lived in Southern Pines....my sis lives in Deep Gap...
wonder if you are anywhere near those places...
probably the mountains with this kind of snow...
my sister gets lots of it where she is.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I like the spelling...and this collaboration is so solid it feels like one voice.
and such a tribute to your grandson...some day he will totally appreciate this reverent response to his innocent love.
j.

[Dara]

Hello Jacob! I actually live in the Greensboro area and this time last year we had snow resembling the accumulation in the photograph. (I decided I should go back in the Author's Note section to clarify so thank you!) The idea for the poem came from Paul after I told him the story of me driving 30 miles in it to babysit my grandson. The amazing thing is today it is close to 70 degrees. That is what life is like in North Carolina. I used to live in Minnesota though and usually do not hesitate to go out in it. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and wonderful review of our poem. It is always so good to hear from you. Have a very Happy New Year!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it is 60 here, and the last few days which is really odd for this time of year....yes, seldom snows in NC...but does...i was there one Christmas when we had to postpone the family gathering because of a pretty heavy snow in Southern Pines and such.
Happy New Year!

[Dara]

All seems to point global warming! So sad. Let’s hope the new year will bring about some positive changes. Thank you and take care!