Rate:5.0 / 6 votes

Scratches and Stones

Teri

We walk hand in hand. The sand
is full of stones. The slide
has no shine, no arc, no glide.
The trees have scratches, black and gray.
My girl wants to play, so we stay.

She is quick to find a stick. Then
down on the ground. She scratches
the shape of her name, forgets the rust,
she is glad we came.

I am alone beside her, want to guide her.
Perhaps by a shake of my head. But instead
Find a stick of my own and a stone to take home.

Who is this parent? It's apparent
That I missed the moment when I
Could have shown her the strength of the sky
While her shirt dragged in the dirt.

She is done. I let her run
away from me.
Watching incessantly, I let her be.
This is not about me.

,

About this poem

Parenting.

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Written on October 15, 2022

Submitted by Teril on November 13, 2022

Modified by Teril on December 23, 2022

48 sec read
114

Quick analysis:

Scheme XAABB XXXX XXX XCCX XDDD
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 695
Words 162
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 5, 4, 3, 4, 4
Full analysis for Scratches and Stones »

Discuss the poem Scratches and Stones with the community...

7 Comments
  • amyf.53811
    amyf.53811
    I love this one, too! Such a magnificent talent to portray the struggles and blessings of being a parent.

    I'm just starting out. I shared a poem on social media and had many encouraging me to publish. Right now, they are just words on a page, but I am writing from the heart with raw emotion.

    Let me know if you have time to read my new poems and give me some feedback. I really am brand new to this and need some direction.     
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • cokerrogers
    cokerrogers
    Beautiful. This really gave me a vivid image of a place and I was the observer.
    LikeReply11 months ago
  • hopebenc
    hopebenc
    Beautiful poem thanks for sharing
    LikeReply 11 year ago
  • purrplespice28
    purrplespice28
    VERY INTERESTING AN ENLIGHTENING, IT MADE ME THINK BACK ON MOMENTS WITH MY CHILDREN AN LOOK AT THOSE MOMENTS DIFFERENTLY, THANK YOU SO MUCH
    LikeReply 11 year ago
    • Teril
      Teril
      Thank YOU! I'm happy you found it interesting!
      LikeReply1 year ago
  • Kaytee
    Kaytee
    What a lovely poem about parenting. I love your words. Beautiful
    LikeReply 31 year ago
    • Teril
      Teril
      Thank you, Kaytee!
      LikeReply1 year ago
  • teril
    teril
    Thanks for reading and responding. I appreciate it.
    LikeReply 11 year ago
  • Symmetry58
    Symmetry58
    Brilliant write, Mom.
    LikeReply 21 year ago

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"Scratches and Stones" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/144387/scratches-and-stones>.

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