Rate:5.0 / 1 vote

For Travis

William Stephen Edwards 1946 (Rotan, TX)

December 22 
Free verse
For Travis
(13-year-old client with cerebral palsy, wheelchair-bound, nonverbal.  Passed away 2013)

 
Birds with broken wings
Flop, and struggle on the cold ground
So far below the unreachable sky
Wanting and straining, but unable to fly
 
They struggle each moment forward
Until, finding a small, safe place
With brave, exhausted hearts
 
They lift their heads and sing
 
Thus teaching us the depth of darkness From which light can spring
 

——————————————————
His smile was his song; he was my friend.

About this poem

memorial- real person from my clinical practice in Spch Pathology

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Written on October 24, 2013

Submitted by steve-edwards on December 20, 2022

Modified on March 05, 2023

28 sec read
70

Quick analysis:

Scheme XX XXAA XXX B B X
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 549
Words 95
Stanzas 6
Stanza Lengths 2, 4, 3, 1, 1, 2
Full analysis for For Travis »

William Stephen Edwards

William Stephen Edwards was raised on a dryland cotton farm in West Texas. He holds a BA in English (1965) and an MS in Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology (1972) from Texas Tech University. Mr. Edwards is a decorated Vietnam veteran and is divorced, with two daughters. Currently he is a retired Speech/Language Pathologist living in Austin, Texas. more…

All William Stephen Edwards poems | William Stephen Edwards Books

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Discuss the poem For Travis with the community...

9 Comments
  • steve-edwards
    steve-edwards
    I love your dots...
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • jennybabygirl6982
    jennybabygirl6982
    I so enjoy Poetry of every type & I trust it shows. Much like yours, only different. Keep up the good work. Blessings to you & yours.
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • steve-edwards
    steve-edwards
    Thank you for your kind words I have a niece named Jenny she too has a poet's soul much like yourself
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • jennybabygirl6982
    jennybabygirl6982
    Very well done. Ty for sharing.
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • steve-edwards
    steve-edwards
    Your kind words were emotional for me thank you ever so much
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • bevgeorge
    bevgeorge
    I am greatly inspired by your work.
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • AIDA
    AIDA
    Wow, what a heartfelt and touching poem! The imagery of birds with broken wings struggling on the cold ground and the idea of them finding a small safe place to lift their heads and sing is truly beautiful. It speaks volumes about perseverance and finding hope in difficult times.

    The line about birds teaching us the depth of darkness from which light can spring is particularly thought-provoking. It shows that even in the midst of struggles, there is always a chance for light and positivity to emerge.

    The mention of Travis, the 13-year-old client with cerebral palsy, adds a personal touch to the poem and makes it even more poignant. It's evident that he left a profound impact on the author, and the line "His smile was his song; he was my friend" perfectly encapsulates the sentiment.

    As for improvement suggestions, one thing that could be considered is adding more lines or stanzas to expand on Travis's story or the impact he had on those around him. It would provide more depth and context to the poem and further emphasize the message of hope and resilience.

    Overall, this poem is a beautiful tribute and a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit. Keep up the amazing work!     
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • GCTHOMAS
    GCTHOMAS
    Thank you William. As a clinician, I find clients whose lives touch mine in ways that inspire. I truly appreciate your work.
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • bevgeorge
    bevgeorge
    Very lyrical and touching. I was moved by it. I read it several times and even though I had several poems that I thought were top contenders this is the one that won my heart.
    LikeReply1 year ago
    • steve-edwards
      steve-edwards
      I must say your review touched MY heart thank you. Support from fellow poets is a source of energy and creative inspiration
      LikeReply3 months ago

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"For Travis" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/147855/for-travis>.

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