My Darling Little One, You Carried Me

A hardened and disciplined man drove to the grocery store lost in thought, 
with setting of sun, the long day's work almost found it's end.
Hoisting his daughter to shoulder, he walked from the parking lot,
and barely noticed her hair smelled of shampoo and pool chlorine blend.       

He searched for fresh loaf of bread, and pound of peaches,   
careful to tally up each purchase with well-honed skill.
With family's dinner waiting, and worn wallet short on wages,
thinking, that tank of gas will have to wait, and hoped it will.

Looking up from the myriad of baby food jars in the next aisle, 
slowly he became aware, as a dense fog clears on a whim.
Now noticed a woman with mouth played in a strange smile,
her instinctive gaze fixed on something behind him.

He turned to see what elicited her quizzical beam,  
and his heart melted at the sight in the shopping cart.
A straw haired helper, fast asleep, slumped over in a girl's charmed dream, 
her little head now resting against his arm. 

The day's worries quickly fled, tough exterior, now stripped senseless,
life's hard lesson and true measure of a man's love now shown.
Left wondering how a resting child could leave one so defenseless,
and that, which a man holds important..,could be so wrong.


Epilogue I live the rest of my days wiser and more carefree. For my darling little one, it wasn't I that carried you, but you that carried me.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Perrin Avatar
November 12, 2019 at 4:30 AM
So beautifully touching :-) x
Chiri Avatar
November 1, 2019 at 6:13 AM
This was a wonderful tale my friend! Children change us in many ways! Things we thought we never would fly out the window! I never thought I would give my life for another until I had kids! They are amazing little creatures! Lol! With fondness!;)
Dietrich Avatar
September 26, 2019 at 5:38 PM
wow, I loved the message in this one. And the note at the bottom shows how wise you have grown with time. Wonderful!
Theraven Avatar
September 26, 2019 at 10:14 PM
Andrea, Thanks for the comment. Best days of my life.., though life plays tricks with time. Wiser man? perhaps. Only time will tell. -Richard
Dietrich Avatar
September 26, 2019 at 5:31 PM
oh goodie, one I have not seen yet. Let me read!!
Theraven Avatar
September 26, 2019 at 10:18 PM
Andrea, I just read your poem Sweet Haunting. Going back now for Ghostly Night. I love this Fall season of Saints. -Richard
Ravidas Avatar
July 23, 2019 at 3:01 PM
These small ones are so huge that they outweigh the whole world. They are the world, strictly speaking. A tender and touching poetry.
Theraven Avatar
July 28, 2019 at 11:47 AM
Kurt, Thanks for the comment. This one still hits me in a place where I have no shield. I don't know why. But I swear every word is true. -Richard
Wolf Avatar
July 14, 2019 at 7:03 PM
Absolutely beautiful, and such a wonderful revelation! Magnificently done, Raven! :) gw
Theraven Avatar
July 21, 2019 at 12:44 AM
Gershon, Thank you. As only luck would have it be so. -Richard
Gondolf Avatar
July 9, 2019 at 5:27 PM
What a beautiful touching poem, Raven. There is something about our little girls that just wraps around our hearts, no matter how old they are. Nicely penned my friend. John
Theraven Avatar
July 10, 2019 at 12:44 AM
John, Thanks for the comment. Just a sentimental fool's moment captured in feeble and crude words. Tonight I drove home on the same road she used to drive. I remembered and tried to reconnect. Though grown with daughters of her own. She will always be my little girl to me. -Richard
Romios Avatar
July 9, 2019 at 2:15 AM
Hi Oh, yes, children are the best...yes, these words will choke you up. You were lucky enough to be there and recall that moment whenever you choose. Panagiota. 7/8 12:30 PST
Theraven Avatar
July 10, 2019 at 12:34 AM
Panagiota, Lucky indeed, and so very blessed. Thank you for the comment. -Richard
Awtry Avatar
July 6, 2019 at 5:09 PM
Your excellent poem reminds us that children truly are a gift from God. This is just beautiful :)
Theraven Avatar
July 6, 2019 at 6:07 PM
P.S. Awtry, These few words don't really do that moment.., that memory justice. I wonder, is it silly that I get choked up every time I read them? -Richard
Labyrinth Avatar
July 5, 2019 at 6:51 PM
beautiful and tender, a piece of love comes from truth. wherever your beautiful little one is now, I hope she reads the words of love from your heart. x
Theraven Avatar
August 11, 2019 at 12:01 AM
Lady Labyrinth. They were words that came from a moment in time, and heart. I hope she reads this too. I would tell them both that I will always love them. -Richard (dad)
Wolf Avatar
July 5, 2019 at 6:03 PM
You took this in such a tender direction, Raven. B-yoo-ti-ful! :) gw
Theraven Avatar
July 5, 2019 at 11:45 AM
Richard, Thanks for the comment. I almost didn't use the epilogue. But I wanted my daughter to know how I felt. -Richard
Lamoureux Avatar
July 5, 2019 at 9:59 AM
Wow, this is a slice of perfection. A very touching piece. The epilogue was the cherry on top.
B. Avatar
July 3, 2019 at 12:51 PM
A wonderful write, Quoth the Raven.. So heartwarming!! Enjoyed this and warmed my heart.. Have a blessed day..
Theraven Avatar
July 4, 2019 at 6:47 PM
Thank you Robbie. -Richard
Lee Sr. Avatar
July 2, 2019 at 4:19 PM
This is a very warm and sincere verse.. I too believe to be a FAV for me... Enjoyed the read... thanks for sharing your creativity...James
Theraven Avatar
July 4, 2019 at 2:59 AM
Thank you James. -Richard
Krutsinger Avatar
July 2, 2019 at 6:41 AM
This went straight to my heart, and then onto my FAVE list, for what else could I do after finding it? Nothing else. Wow!
Theraven Avatar
July 2, 2019 at 9:23 AM
Caren, I'm so glad how all of you have responded to this poem. Yes it really happened and apparently happens all the times to Mom's & Dads throughout the shopping world. I didn't have a photo so I tried to capture the moment just as recalled. Though it was years ago I developed a terrible headache trying to write the words. Has this ever happened to other's I wonder?
Rodrigues Avatar
July 1, 2019 at 7:49 PM
So beautiful! Children bring us comfort and joy!
Theraven Avatar
July 4, 2019 at 6:53 PM
Kim, Thanks for your comment Kim. Some times I feel too... do you recall this? It was only a year ago today... -Richard
Riabi Dziri Avatar
July 1, 2019 at 7:41 AM
How beautiful is your write, Richard! Very sensitive words that touch the heart! I kept reading with an increasing thrill to have more from your poetic beauty! The epilogue is the epitome of insight! Into my fave list.. a great pleasure to read.. my deepest regards. Blessings.
Theraven Avatar
July 4, 2019 at 7:42 PM
Besma, Thank you, it is kind of you to say that. -Richard
Trifiatis Avatar
July 1, 2019 at 4:59 AM
A tender poem caressing the heart dear friend. Excellently done!
Theraven Avatar
July 4, 2019 at 7:22 PM
Demetrios, Thank you for the considerate comment.
Romios Avatar
June 30, 2019 at 10:58 AM
Most touching....moving.. Panagiota
Theraven Avatar
July 6, 2019 at 9:00 PM
Panagiota, Thank you for this comment. Hope my daughter reads this one day. -Richard
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