14 August 2010

Magpie Tales-"Til


At ten we rode and ran
"Til the sun slid hidden
Behind the hills,
Mother calling us in
Baths and books waiting.
At twenty we danced and drank
"Til the sun rose
Silhouette of gold behind the skyline
Boss checking his watch,
Phones ringing too loud.
At thirty we learned to sleep
"Til your loudest cry
Lifted us out of bed,
Clock ticking away the night.
At forty we carpooled
"Til you took the keys
Parents watching for
Headlights on the ceiling.
At fifty we waited
"Til you found your true love
Family and friends dancing
Lightening bugs flickering.
At sixty we talk about plans
"Til sleep makes our eyes heavy
Hearts happy
Asking what next.

C.M. Jackson 2010

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32 comments:

Ruth said...

You've spanned the decades deftly. I saw those headlights on the ceiling -- what an evocative image. Nicely done.

Brian Miller said...

nice. very subtle pay on the prompt...through the ages...

C.M. Jackson said...

Ruth---thanks--couldn't let the the verdigris patina of the pipes go to waste--it was either a discussion of aging or a lost garden. Like your blog, Willow's prompts always inspire. Have a lovely weekend. c

C.M. Jackson said...

thanks brian--hope you and the family have a wonderful weekend.

CM said...

This is so beautiful and so many interpretations. Lovely take on the prompt.

C.M. Jackson said...

thanks cm---enjoy the weekend--c

Paul Andrew Russell said...

A beautiful portrayal of the ages. Lovely.

Claudia said...

you take us on a nice journey through the ages...and yeah - wondering what's next..

Helen said...

My favorite line? 'parents watching for headlights on the ceiling'
Perfectly captures all those nights I waited and waited. Very nicely done.

Jim Swindle said...

Very well-written.

Lyn said...

This is so fine..it comes from real talent..love it..thanks!

magpie said...

my stages have differed
somewhat
and still this
distillation of a life
says everything.

magpie said...

my stages have differed
somewhat
and still this
distillation of a life
says everything.

Tattered and Lost said...

Wonderful!

Tess Kincaid said...

Ah, I feel as if you've told my life story! I never could get to sleep until I saw those headlights on the bedroom ceiling. Excellent piece.

Suz said...

this was marvelous
headlights on the ceiling..oh yes

chiccoreal said...

Dear cm jackson: The stages of children's and parent's lives. Yes, it is always "what's next!" Why is that? I mean it is not like we have not playing out since forever these games, rules and roles by many generational predecessors who have come before us. It is the direct experience of life, when these things actually happen to us and when we finally learn time is the true teacher.

"Parents watching for
Headlights on the ceiling."

This image I will remember forever! Thanks cm! Excellent poem; captivating!

Doctor FTSE said...

Yes . . the headlights on the ceiling, or the sound of the latchkey in the frint door! O.K, can get to sleep now! Wonderfully captured.
(When are your decades going to catch up with mine!)
Very best wishes from Olde England.

Julie Musil said...

"At forty we carpooled
"Til you took the keys
Parents watching for
Headlights on the ceiling."

OMG, tears in my eyes. Excellent.

Stafford Ray said...

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing...". Loving philosophical interpretation of the magpie and I agree with all the above. Oh, and there is life after sixty! :-)

signed...bkm said...

great take on the prompt cm, true, true and true on how our visions of tomorrow changes, and it is like we never see it happening....bkm

Friko said...

I am glad you came over to mine for a visit, otherwise I would not have seen your blog and read this very good poem.
I too shall be back.

C.M. Jackson said...

magpie-my life has not followed these stages either..it was the kind of life I imagined and have watched loved ones travel...no worries my life has been and continues to be an adventure...best c

C.M. Jackson said...

chiccoreal--time IS the true teacher ---yes, you are so right--thanks for your kind words-c

C.M. Jackson said...

Doctor FTSE---thank you for your kind words---feel free to add your insight on the coming decades! best c

C.M. Jackson said...

stafford ray--sixty is the new forty! Keep on keepin' on! ;-)

Tumblewords: said...

A delightful dance through decades of memories.

Anonymous said...

Life is sadly full of hindsight, minus accurate foresight. We therefore have too much to look back upon, and less to look forward to......except for the one and only outcome. How I miss having more possibilities ahead of me now.

Kathe W. said...

simply said and simply wonderful!
Lovely and Happy Anniversary!

C.M. Jackson said...

dana-the possibilities are always there no matter the decade--here's to the next adventure! best c

C.M. Jackson said...

twords--thanks so much!

C.M. Jackson said...

kathew--thank you!

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