Under Street Lights

Jupiter rules the night
in the long parade
of far off suns
shining in the deep dark,
the same winter sky
my mother walked beneath,
her feet in drifting snow,
the quiet all around her
down the steep hill
to the subway el,
walking toward my birth.
She was dressed nicely
as she always was.
She didn’t mind
the cold wet snow;
she was going to deliver.
Huge white flakes
covered the cobble stones,
the streets and sidewalks,
blanketing her with quiet,
her happiness and fear full
down the Marble Hill,
my mother and father
alone in the falling snow
with me urging them,
a presence within her
as they walked on
under street lights
in the January snow.

 

 

 

Michael and Dorothy


 


14 Responses to “Under Street Lights”

  1. Vanessa Wheeler says:

    Lovely as always…. It seems your birthday is imminent (or very recent)? I wish you a joyful year to come!

  2. Jack says:

    such a beautiful image Don…..

  3. David Banner says:

    A most sweet tribute to your parents, Don…lovely…I can feel their (and your) anticipation…

  4. A time of mystery and wonder for the three of you!

  5. Julie P. says:

    Beautiful poem and pic Don. Thank you.

  6. Rose says:

    Yes, the photo anchors the quiet images in the poem. Thank you!

  7. Stan Grindstaff says:

    Persistent presence then still revealed in you now, Don. Warmth above the cold & from the inside out!

  8. Paul Blythe says:

    In the Australian summer, it was nice to remember snow from life in Canada but the “el” is a memory from my first 8 years in Chicago! A lovely image of your parents living your eventual birth.

  9. Eilish says:

    I feel so tender thinking about grandma and grandpa on the journey to bring you into the world. All their dreams coming true.

  10. Sylvia McAfee says:

    Don, that is just beautiful… I could ‘almost’ feel all of it! Must be a picture of your Mother and Father??? Is there an occasion that brought this into your mind just now??? Soooo honoring and touching. Thank you.

  11. Bill Dare says:

    A sweet remembrance of those you chose to join in this world.

  12. Pat Fitzsimmons says:

    Thanks Don, such a poignant tribute to your parents.

  13. tom walshtom@walshluxuryhomes.com says:

    Lovely.

  14. tom wilson says:

    Just beautiful, Don. Thanks.

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