Sometimes you know it before they do:
other times, they take you by surprise
each attempt still strikes your heart anew.
Sometimes you know it before they do
their steps are sure and strong and true.
Look, Ma! No hands! their sudden cries.
Sometimes you know it before they do:
other times, they take you by surprise.
***
This triolet is a French form poem with a repeating line scheme. The rhyming pattern goes: ABaAabAB. The capital letters show where you repeat whole lines.
I chose this poem partly because I’ve never written a triolet before. Partly because I wanted to capture both the repetition of parenting, and also the surprise inside the familiar.
Each day, I think I know what is coming with my children. I think I see what they are ready for, how they’ve grown. I see their strength often before they know it. And then… and then… they surprise me by showing me strength beyond their years.
Can you think of a time when you knew your child had reached a milestone before they did? How about a time when they surprised you!?
Read the entire 31 days series The Poetry of Parenting Boys by clicking the button:
Amanda
Monday 27th of October 2014
I connect to this poem so strongly! My 18 month old just started jumping and it was such a shock to me...no idea why. I guess my babies are growing up!
Mary Clare Evans
Monday 27th of October 2014
Oh, each day is a surprise! Love your post and your poem. My three year old talked my nine year old into taking off his training wheels of his 12" wheel beginer bike.(I was on the phone - everything bad happens when you are on the phone). I looked out just in time to see my three year old whizzing down the sidewalk on his bike, never fell once. He is still the best athlete in the family. Thanks for prompting me to relive this happy memory. Blessings to you and your family.
Barbara H.
Monday 27th of October 2014
Very nice, both the poem and the structure! So true that parenting can be much the same, then we're surprised out of the blue.