Spring is supposed to be in the air in Australia, but we’re wondering if it forgot to turn up? We are truly enjoying these near-winter temperatures at the moment
... not ... but I predict we’ll be sweating in our socks next week. Hopefully, all other parts of the world are treating
their inhabitants well, or at least more consistently than our fair country at the moment!
We have a fine example of the sadness experienced
by every parent when they witness their child or children growing up right before their eyes, penned by Michael Lee Johnson.
I feel he conveys this sentiment beautifully in his poem “Cheeks Shining, Mine So Wet”, and fits into our themes
of love in all its forms and human weakness to a small degree: While we bring our children up so they can face the world,
not many parents are happy to see their chicks really fly the coop. It is a very gut-wrenching time, and I think it’s
fair to say that each parent who faces this separation, does feel weakness battling with the need to let go. I hope you enjoy!
Cheeks Shining,
Mine So Wet
by Michael
Lee Johnson
Shining, wet
my son's peachy cheeks
have turned to beard and
stubbles.
The turning of age stings.
As a mother I'm not allowed
anymore to kiss this now
complicated face.
His teen years stalked
my doors
with sticky-eyes and frightening
nights
the ghostly memories, splinters,
tiny bruises,
his boastful nature after
the last date and conquest,
make me ache at my breasts.
He dances with twisted
metal, reflecting,
the slight pause, flashing
lights surrounding his room.
The room, his room.
He searches for a wisp
of what was,
he holds thoughtless the
intruding demons.
I wonder and dream, phantasm,
partitions
all at arm’s length,
my son.
His cheeks shining, mine
so very wet.
Michael Lee Johnson is a poet and freelance writer from Itasca, Illinois.
He has been published in over 23 countries. He is also editor/publisher
of four poetry sites, all open for submission, which can be found at his website: http://poetryman.mysite.com/. His books are now available on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=michael+lee+johnson
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I’m off to Tasmania for a week or so, and I’m looking forward to it, as I haven’t
been there before! So bon voyage ... or should that just be “see you later”? I sure hope all of you enjoy this
fine (?) month of October, and let’s look forward to a more weather-reliable November, followed by Christmas ... had
to mention that, didn’t I?
Chris Ivins
October 2009
