Ten weeks apart
breeds shyness,
a laugh here, a giggle there,
tears mostly. Between her and me
there is no relationship.
Memories
abated.
Hopefulness
aborted.
Usefulness
negated.
All because distance seldom makes
the heart fonder
especially for a child
a babe
who understands suckling
more than teddy bears,
stopover visits,
or promises.
J.D. Di Lella is an educator by nature, a poet and story teller by advocation. His work has appeared in Bewildering Stories, Clockwise Cat, Alienskin Magazine, Static Movement, The Battered Suitcase and other literary publications.
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4 Responses to “MESSAGE UNRETURNED • by J.D. Di Lella”
Comments
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May 5th, 2009 at 7:05 am
A tiny babe might act that way even with a close relationship such as a parent after a short ten week separation. Ten weeks is a long time to a toddler whose memories don’t abate, it’s just that, as yet, there are so few. The babe of this poem must be old enough to speak, because “promises” are mentioned. But what is meant by the line “Between her and me there is no relationship?” Or the word “usefulness?” My misgivings about this poem have to do with its intended meaning regarding one child. If it’s a compression of various situations regarding separations from children, which is interesting and what most of the poem seems to be about, “Between her and me” confounds the reader. The word “usefulness” seems to blame the child.
Well written, cadence excellent.
May 5th, 2009 at 8:48 am
This poignant insight into the heartbreak of long-distance fathering is powerfully expressed. I will remember this one…
May 5th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Absolutely. This is a poignant insight, worth remembering. Thanks.
May 7th, 2009 at 8:35 am
Delightful.