She was only knee-high
to a space-hopper. Crazy –
we must have been, the day,
she, her dad and me, decided
to climb that mountain
in Switzerland.
It was but a modest mountain;
the walk was signposted,
all the way; meant to be an hour
and a half, all told. And,
it would have been, I guess –
as the crow flies. Instead,
it took a whole afternoon.
On her dad’s broad shoulders
she rode, for much of the way,
until he stopped to rest. Then, she ran,
through dew-damp grass; reached
for my hand, and tugged me down
with all her strength, toward
vetch, and lace-edged eidelweiss –
had her mesmerised.
A mere moment in time; gone
in a trice, and yet, somehow,
eternally mine, as I bent
into greens, mauves, and pinks –
raindrops, sparkling silver
on a ladybird’s wings...
pudgy, dimpled knees
and azure eyes...a world
where she stood, transfixed
by ‘bright, shiny things’.
She invited me in; amongst
the shimmerings, she took me.
Comments
skinner_jennifer | March 21, 2011 - 12:39
Hi Tina,
what a beautiful tender moment on a climb that must
stay with you for the rest of your life.
Switzerland in the mountains always reminds me of
the first book I read as a child 'Heidi' reading
your poem just brought back the book to me.
You really pointed out the wonder of a nature through
your childs eyes. So beautifully written and I
really enjoyed reading this one.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | March 21, 2011 - 12:46
Hi there, Jenny. We were living in Heidelberg, in Germany at the time, and we hired a yellow Volkswagen and drove all the way. It was a magical week I will always remember.
Thanks for your lovely comment.
Tina
Kahdai | March 21, 2011 - 13:32
This is a wonderful happy memory Tina, thanks for sharing it K x
Silver Spun Sand | March 21, 2011 - 13:47
Kahdai - you are more than welcome, and thank you for reading;-) T x
Highhat | March 21, 2011 - 20:04
Yes a truly wonderful memory- Is this shiny bright moment- made me think of REM- but then that is about shiny bright people- I guess that was what your daughter was- shiny and bright in more than one way !!
thank you for sharing this moment.
;)Pia
Silver Spun Sand | March 21, 2011 - 20:17
Thanks for reading, Pia. More than appreciated.
Tina
fatboy74 | March 21, 2011 - 21:09
I hope I have the same wonderful memories of my own children as they grow up Tina - and that I can capture as you have in so many brilliant poems, some of the magic of them. This is really good and the last two stanzas, breathtaking.
ATB Fatboy :-)
Silver Spun Sand | March 21, 2011 - 22:27
Fb, I am sure you will...on both counts.
What I omitted to say in this particular poem, was that on the way back down, we discovered the most spectacular waterfall. It was the icing on the cake, most certainly.
Many, many thanks for your beautiful words.
Tina;-)
Cavalcaderl | March 21, 2011 - 22:32
new Tina
yes, I agree with Fatboy.
The marvellous way you cna describe
the daughter so well. Even though sad.
Captures the reader but straight from the
loving heart for her.
I saw the film Heidi young cried my eyes out.
You certainly have seen the world.
And can describe to other's fab:
julie xx
Silver Spun Sand | March 22, 2011 - 09:47
Hi there, Julie.
I read the book of 'Heidi' way before I saw the film. It was always a story that captured my heart, and I read it time and time again...along with 'Black Beauty' and 'What Katy Did'. Oh, and also Charles Kingsley's 'The Water Babies'. All favourite childhood books of mine, which I have since dipped into in my adult years, I blush to admit.
Glad you enjoyed this poem. It really was just as it happened and I shall never forget, also, how in awe we all were of the moutains...the first time any of us had ever seen one, 'in the flesh' so to speak;-)
Take care;-)
Tina xx
InspiredWriter | May 21, 2011 - 18:16
This is beautiful, i really love it!
X
Silver Spun Sand | May 21, 2011 - 19:22
How lovely of you to say so, IW;-) Many thanks
Tina X