avatarChristina M. Ward

Summary

"Yesterdays — a poem" is a reflective piece evoking the enchantment of childhood memories through the imagery of swinging and the passage of seasons.

Abstract

The poem "Yesterdays" delves into the whimsical and magical moments of childhood, inviting readers to join in the nostalgia of carefree times. It paints a vivid picture of youthful exuberance, with children swinging high into the sky, feet reaching for the sun, and the joyous call to climb into the speaker's braids and sing. The poem also ponders the mysteries of nature, such as where June bugs hide during winter, and reflects on the stillness of nights when the liveliness of summer has passed. This work, previously featured on the author's personal blog and in Wolff Literary magazine, uses intentional structure to mimic the rhythm of swinging, enhancing the thematic exploration of childhood memories.

Opinions

  • The author expresses a desire for the reader to engage deeply with the poem, suggesting an interactive experience by inviting them to "climb inside my braids and sing me a song."
  • There is a sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world, as seen in the inquiry about the hiding place of June bugs in winter.
  • The poem conveys a sense of nostalgia for the endless possibilities and adventures of childhood, contrasting it with the quiet stillness of winter.
  • The author's note indicates a deliberate choice in the poem's structure to reflect the motion of swinging, suggesting an importance placed on the poem's form as a means to enhance its content.
  • The celebration of the poem's feature in Wolff Poetry Literary Magazine shows the author's pride and the value they place on external validation and recognition from the literary community.

Yesterdays — a poem

magical moments of childhood

Pixabay

Why don’t you climb inside my braids and sing me a song?

swinging out over the grasses our feet stretched so high the chain-link grinds as we rise toward sun

Why don’t you open up your freckles and let me inside?

I need to know where the June bugs hide in the winter when swings don’t swing and the night stands still

Author’s note: The structure here is intentional, to mimic that of swinging. Previously published on my personal Fiddleheads & Floss blog, then by Wolff Literary magazine.

Poetry
Creative Writing
Life
Childhood
Memories
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