Notes About The Poem

Republished: 14th January 2022

Image by Susann Mielke from Pixabay

Sound Effect (best played while reading) courtesy of Freesound Community at Pixabay

This poem was placed 1st in the "A STRAND (1052)" contest sponsored by Brian Strand (Judged 14th February 2022)

As featured in the Poetry Soup Anthology: "Reflections on the Important Things"


Still

Listen to poem:
there's a little dog that's laughing
at a cow jumping the moon
and a cat playing a fiddle
on the wall of a bright room
where a mobile's hanging silent
waiting patiently to turn
like the pages on the bookshelf
that proclaim it's fun to learn
and there's a bible on a small crib 
with its cross depicting love
for a child born sadly sleeping
into arms of those above.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022


Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 3/6/2023 9:43:00 AM
Dear Gary, both elated anticipation and deep sadness is captured with tender bittersweet imagery in a perfect, potent, petite gem of poetry. Your vivid verses bring me to the center of this emotional moment. Congratulations for your excellent final placement in Mark's Marathon contest. it is an honor to share the podium with you. warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 3/6/2023 2:31:00 PM
Susan, thank you so much. Your comments often read like poetry themselves. :) Cheers - Gary
Date: 3/5/2023 8:46:00 AM
Dear Gary, I sincerely enjoyed running the marathon along with you and admire your talent. Congratulations!
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 3/5/2023 11:08:00 AM
:) Thanks Lin. The feeling's mutual. I have to admit I ran out of breath towards the end but really enjoyed it. Congratulations to you for your podium place. Cheers - Gary
Date: 3/4/2023 1:25:00 PM
Gary, congratulations on your Eleventh Place, overall win in my 2022 Poetry Marathon! Thank you so much for contributing to the success of the contest. The poems of the 28 qualifiers can be accessed from my current "Finish Line" blog post, along with the top 15 placements and their overall stats. Write on!
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 3/5/2023 5:05:00 AM
Thanks Mark for having the stamina yourself for running the marathon in the first place. :) Much appreciated. Cheers - Gary
Date: 12/4/2022 4:12:00 PM
Greetings Gary, Your moving poem captures so poignantly the parental anticipation of the newborn's arrival + the baby's room left (unexpectedly) to the tragic loss of absence + silence. Beautifully constructed; a melancholy, too, that lingers with your readers. Be well. Sincerely, Brian
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 12/6/2022 4:05:00 AM
Thanks Brian. I'm actually not feeling so good at present; can't stop coughing and have all the hallmarks of a chest infection. Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in soon and I'll feel right enough to get my poetic thought processes in action again. I'd been going through a bit of a muse-less period just before this. Not to worry though. Thanks again for your valued comments. Read you soon. Cheers - Gary
Date: 7/10/2022 11:23:00 PM
"arms of those above" - Beautiful. Congratulations!
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 7/11/2022 1:29:00 AM
Thank you Christuraj. Cheers - Gary
Date: 7/9/2022 9:59:00 AM
This a wonderful snapshot of a moment in time. Some of the best poetry comes from scenes such as this…and this one is beautiful. Congrats on the placement as well.
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 7/9/2022 11:33:00 PM
Thanks Mark. I appreciate your visit, read and great comments. Cheers - Gary
Date: 7/8/2022 12:57:00 PM
Congratulations on your win. WOW!!! What a powerful write. Have a great/blessed day.....................
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 7/9/2022 6:43:00 AM
Thank you Paula. I really appreciate your visit. Cheers - Gary
Date: 7/8/2022 12:21:00 PM
Gary, I agree with John's comment below. This especially resonates with me since my wife experienced 3 miscarriages before our oldest son was born. It still brings tears to our eyes. Congratulations on your win on Mile 6 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Mile 7 has already started.
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 7/9/2022 6:49:00 AM
Thank you Mark. And thank you for your marathon series of contests. This was a poem I deleted and then reinstated as I thought the subject was a difficult one. Thanks so much for my placement. Cheers - Gary
Date: 7/8/2022 11:55:00 AM
Gary, I had a tissue box on hand as I read through this heartrending and poignant jewel of a poem. You use the imagery of a baby's decorated room so brilliantly to depict the anticipation and the bible and cross to characterize the tragic loss and giving the life over to heavenly arms. A worthy winner, succinct, emotional yet subdued, and brilliantly crafted. Congrats for your marathon win, should have said this before, but this one is a fav ~ John
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 7/9/2022 7:06:00 AM
I'm so grateful for your continued encouragement John. Your words sum up perfectly what I was aiming for. Cheers - Gary
Date: 3/5/2022 4:24:00 PM
Gary, this has particular meaning to me as I was born after my mother suffered three miscarriages. As a result, I was extremely well-loved, maybe even spoiled, as a child because I was filling that vacuum created from painful loss. I'm glad you brought this one back to your site, it is excellently written with great care and insight (as are all your creations). By the way, I noticed your Bus Stop and Door in the Wall poems (sorry, I don't know their proper titles) are no longer on your list. Will you be re-posting them? Admiringly, John
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 3/6/2022 1:05:00 AM
Thanks once again John for your words of encouragement and support. They are truly appreciated. Life sure is a gift. In the past Ive deleted poems: 1) In error 2) When I'm just not personally totally happy with them and feel they need slight work. I republish them again when I'm happy. The Door In The Wall and Bus Stop poems fall under 2) Cheers - Gary
Date: 1/26/2022 3:59:00 AM
Ah, I so love your cryptic write that is not so mystery after all, I felt this Gary, thank you for sharing, love and prayers
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 1/26/2022 2:33:00 PM
My pleasure Mystic. Thank you for your lovely comments. Cheers - Gary
Date: 1/19/2022 6:07:00 AM
Gary, what can I say that the others haven't already said, sad/lovely...and a superb write, my friend. All the best...Charlie
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 1/19/2022 6:57:00 AM
Great to hear from you and thanks so much for your kind words Charlie. Cheers - Gary
Date: 1/18/2022 8:35:00 AM
This is lovely and sad, Gary. Congratulations on your win. [I agree that it's not wise to delete; rearrangements makes more sense.] // paul
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 1/19/2022 6:53:00 AM
Hi Paul. Thanks for your valued comments and I think I'll stick to rearranging rather than deleting. It's much less hassle for sure. :) Cheers - Gary
Date: 1/17/2022 2:38:00 PM
Gary this is so sad yet beautifully written! Congrats on your win in Brian's contest! Blessings, Kim M
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 1/18/2022 1:33:00 AM
Thank you Kim. Not an easy write but one I'm happy with. Cheers - Gary
Date: 1/16/2022 11:43:00 PM
A little gem. Glad you re-posted.
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 1/17/2022 4:50:00 AM
Cheers Craig. Thank you for your kind words.
Date: 1/16/2022 1:46:00 PM
I have read your winner and was delighted it was on the winners' list. Congrats. Sara..Sad one.
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 1/16/2022 2:17:00 PM
Thank you Sara. I really appreciate your lovely comments. Cheers - Gary
Date: 1/16/2022 6:50:00 AM
A beautiful rhyme with a secret. Beautifully written. Congratulations!
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 1/16/2022 7:59:00 AM
Thank you Christuraj. Cheers - Gary
Date: 1/16/2022 5:57:00 AM
Gary, it's still good. Good as ever.
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 1/16/2022 6:41:00 AM
Thanks Greg. Cheers - Gary
Date: 1/15/2022 2:52:00 AM
i'm glad you've reposted this, it's a poignant little gem, and speaks to me in a personal way..i do like your writing style..thanks for your visit and comment on my poem
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 1/15/2022 4:59:00 AM
Thanks Charlotte. I'm glad I've reposted it too. Cheers - Gary
Date: 1/14/2022 8:47:00 AM
Thanks for bringing it back, Gary. Although it has a ring of sadness and poignancy, it is quite beautiful and exceptionally well-written. I loved reading it.
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 1/15/2022 2:14:00 AM
Thank you for reading it Milt and as always truly appreciate your visits. Cheers - Gary
Date: 1/14/2022 8:34:00 AM
Gary that is just so sad and so very lovely! Beautifully written. Debx
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 1/15/2022 2:15:00 AM
Thanks Deb. Your words sum up what I hoped to achieve when writing it. Cheers - Gary
Date: 1/14/2022 7:28:00 AM
Ho my gosh, Gary; so glad you reinstated this one so that I had the chance to read it.
Login to Reply
Radice Avatar
Gary Radice
Date: 1/15/2022 2:16:00 AM
Thanks Terry. I've amended the original a little but hopefully it still conveys the same air of poignancy. Cheers - Gary
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter