Whenever I feel like I’m raveled up or unraveling, I walk myself back to the first knot. This works in knitting, storytelling, and so far, in life. I’m walking myself backwards this Poetry Month, while I’m brain-bleary and wincing at all that’s falling on top of me, and starting with baby pictures – of my family and friends and people I know. Of random babies. I’m going to think about innocence and grace and wobbly starts and losses and gains. I’m hopeful that this exercise will give me a little clarity. Thank you for walking with me into a new month, and a new celebration of poetry.
1977
once upon a time
the orchestra tuned. music
sang from stubborn strings
Probably one of my favorite things from this (obviously posed) picture is the stubborn-but-sweet baby chin, and the shaggy hair over the ears, and the smudge of dirt on the five year old face (also: plaid + stripes. Oh, the seventies…). Many were the battles to come over practicing on this thing – and many battles yet wait to be fought – but the orchestra still tunes every Tuesday and Thursday, and the music still sings. The strings are less stubborn these days, though. In theory, anyway.
Awwwww. Both my musician and teacher heart just sigh over this photo!
Is that really Tech Boy? Adorable!
Lovely poem.
Yup, that’s really him. Lookit that chinnnn!
I love the combo of “once upon a time” and “stubborn strings,” Tanita. Fairy tales and obstacles–life in a nutshell:>)
…huh. Hadn’t noticed, but most of my Tech Boy poems are “once upon a time” poems. Guess I believe in the fairytale. ♥