cognitive

I put these places in my eyes forever;

focusing on the dogwoods blooming,

robins scrounging for bits to assemble their nests,

deer tracks leading into the yard,

signs of nature's balanced discourse,

and show them to my daughters

seemingly too young to care.

Now that the years have kissed my sisters and I,

we recall small things our mother and father

might not remember teaching us;

so every word and thing at which I point

must be marked with the spirit of significance.

What use are things that are not worth bequeathing,

and what is worth more than how nature is moving?

So I stare at things and wonder why;

when they ask perhaps I'll answer gracefully.

Even the subtlety of my saccade

might spark a little curiosity

and their wondering mind decipher

that I am observing something they should be.

What little eyes consume so much,

I must always be aware.

What I am learning must be to bestow

and what I bestow must be to what helps 

change the world by their loving hands.

They may dance a frivolous swirl

and appear to gaily frolic,

but little eyes and little ears

are prone to consume so much 

even when not pointed to me.

So I put these places in my eyes forever

For if their curiosity should bloom,

I'll show them things that I have seen

that might help them change the world.

Reviews

[Claire in VA]

I am sure that your daughters will remember each tiny things that you point out to them; their memories will come at just the right times in their lives.

This is beautifully written.
It is gentle and sweet, just like your little girls.

Claire (You many want to consider changing 'more then' to ' more than.' Just check it. :)

[m.s.early]

Thanks... didn't catch that...

[Claire in VA]

I love the poem. I hate to point out mistakes, but I think that's what we are supposed to do if we see any. :)))))))))

[lost girl]

My favorite line is: I put these places in my eyes forever....Your rolling into spring though you may not think it yet. I can see her in your eyes. You words and thoughts are becoming smooth ... dreamy. I am really looking forward to reading more spirit soaring pieces like this :)

[m.s.early]

Your eyes are always looking. I'm thankful when they land here. Many blessings to you :)

[Sami Khalil]

We should learn to use our cognitive faculties and let curiosity interest us in nature and science and so forth. The mind is a wondrous thing indeed...A splendid poem...:).........

[m.s.early]

Absolutely Sami, and like any other part of our body, it will become weary if not exercised. Thank you for reading :)

[Sami Khalil]

So true. You are welcome./..:)......................

[Lyn Anderson]

This is beautiful, and thoughtful, and wonderfully expressed. And you know how much I oo and ahh over your stuff, so please, realize this is only a suggestion, but perhaps a reworking of the bestow stanza might be in order? Either "What I am learning is to bestow, and what I bestow must be what helps" OR maybe even "I must learn to bestow what helps" -- feel free to slough me off, I shed well as long as you pet me first. :)

[m.s.early]

You know I consider your thoughts carefully and appreciate them to know end KL. Truly. And yes, you're on point for noticing that it causes a misbeat in the cadence, but there is something that I like about that and I don't know why. I'll reread it a few more times and ponder it.

[Lyn Anderson]

Yeah, well sometimes we like it a little off kilter for our own reasons, don't we? Funny, I had the same experience a while back with Neville Pettit, and I went back recently and edited it to his suggestion way after the fact. Anyway, it's not as if your stuff isn't smart and well written, so I know you won't take offense.:)