‘the Airplane Crossing Clear-Blue Sky'

My white-washed bars surrounded me -
they held me as I slept;
they soothed me when the days were long,
and mother’s blue-eyes wept.

A baby girl, six months or less,
awakened from my sleep -
stood up legs as sure as hope;
as strong as flat is steep.

My hands, my saviors, gripped the rail
so I could peek outside –
the bluest sky I’d ever seen,
As tall as it was wide;

came into view - between the blue,
an airplane gliding by,
its smoky streamer like a flag,
across my memory’s sky...

The memory is a simple one -
a window, sky, and plane -
but in my heart, it's heaven's door
and there it shall remain.

I’ve hung it on my memory’s wall
Between that life and this –
It covers every hole I’ve dug
In sorrow’s vast abyss.

This picture brings the special peace
I knew when I was small –
Where mother’s just beyond the door,
and waiting for my call…



*Inspired by Danielle's Earliest Memory contest. I have blocked out almost every memory 
from my childhood, and only a very few gems remain - this is the first. and I will treasure it 
always...
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Collins Avatar
April 24, 2012 at 6:07 AM
Absolutely beautiful Kristin. It is divine that we can remember our pure and lovely innocence (sometimes before reality kicks in).
Hickman Avatar
February 10, 2010 at 8:35 PM
a beautiful memory expressed beautifully,I too have few memories from my childhood,never did have many,,I guess its good i had no bad memories though,,I always am thrilled to read your words that flow with deep emotion,,though I get very little time to read since i work a full time job sometimes like 10 to 12 hours a day or 8 hours seven days a week,,though most of my free time is spent writing and posting i enjoy greatly the times that i read your words,,,Blessings..cecil
Moribund Avatar
November 28, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Dear Kristin: Wow!!! What an emotional and wonderful poem. Thank you for sharing your emotions so wonderfully. Yours truly: Sheol
Crisci Avatar
October 17, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Congratlutions on your two contest wins! Your poems have touched my heart deeply! These are the kind of poems I love to read and remember! I wish you continued success with your amazing writing. Love, Andrew.
Richards Avatar
October 16, 2009 at 7:48 AM
Another congratulations is in order for our own Kristin!! I remember this poem from a long time back, and loved it then as I do still! Best Wishes, Kristin!! ~ Love, Carrie
Brown Avatar
October 16, 2009 at 7:01 AM
Congratulations on your win in Danielle's contest. Love, Carol
Guzzi Avatar
October 16, 2009 at 5:32 AM
"I’ve hung it on my memory’s wall Between that life and this – It covers every hole I’ve dug In sorrow’s vast abyss." wonderful, wonderful! congrad's Light & Love
Joe Avatar
July 7, 2009 at 2:30 PM
The poem itself has taken the reader on a journey (which is what poetry should do) and those last lines have the effect of bringing the reader ‘down-to-earth’. Though I would have closed it on a full-stop (period?) rather than . . Outstanding poetry!
Joe Avatar
July 7, 2009 at 2:29 PM
It takes the work and skill as well as that ability to present the poem in a particular form. This is one of the best poems I have read in a long while (and poetry is my main reading matter and I read a lot). The opening is excellent but it is the closing lines that are the most striking because they appear as too sentimental. But it is that very fact that makes them so powerful.
Joe Avatar
July 7, 2009 at 2:22 PM
A lot of writers would have been happy to just ‘share’ the experience. I think that this is a dishonest and lazy approach (as well as patronising to the reader). What you have given us here Kristen is an outstanding example of how poetry (and all art) should be approached. The raw material is the experience (that which was lived). To have left it as that would be like someone pointing to a pile of bricks and saying ‘look at the house I have built’.
Joe Avatar
July 7, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Kristen, I read this through three times over. This is one of those poems which I like to really get into and look at every aspect. But we are pretty restricted. The lines are beautifully measured and drawn out. Nothing is forced here are the flow doesn't even feel as if it comes from the writer but is the most natural way to read the poem. The narration is great. I like that someone digs deep into their soul and presents it as an art as you have done with this.
Rhinem Avatar
June 9, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Well, don't 'ever' let go of it~And someday "She" will walk through that door I do believe once again!!:)~"Your" writings "Priceless Kristin," continue to evolve within endless and wonderous ways....And, it has been a pleasure, to visit "Your True Rarity" again!!:)~"May The Light of Joy & Love Always Shine Upon 'You All,' Forever, John!!"~"Have A Very Very Beautiful Night Kristin!!":) Bye ~
Al-Riyami Avatar
May 29, 2009 at 4:41 AM
Beautiful imagery.Good luck in winning the contest
Higgins Avatar
May 28, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Brilliant writing from a true artist...yep, a true artist.. this is outstanding....your poetry is always consistently good my dear..my mind always grow from your work..not blowing smoke kristin..you are an amazing talent...
Peranteau Avatar
May 28, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Kristin,..wonderful,..our children are the apple,...for our hearts and truly our eyes to be pleased ! Awesome ! james
Austin Avatar
May 28, 2009 at 11:08 AM
I'm crazy about kid poetry and kid recollection. This is huggy stuff, Kristin. A big hug from old daver.
Fraser Avatar
May 28, 2009 at 10:19 AM
A quite beautiful poem Kristin, i don't recall much of my childhood, but this was lovely to read, James
Richards Avatar
May 28, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Touches my heart....knowing what I know about your loss.....dear one....cherish whatever lovliness you can remember.....we share this thing.... :) xoxo
Winter Avatar
May 28, 2009 at 8:00 AM
A peaceful, happy, wondrous memory, beautifully written. Good luck Kristin. Love, Shar
Ryusaka Avatar
May 28, 2009 at 6:53 AM
Absolutely beatuiful. Thank you so much for all your encouraging comments, Kristin... and you are one of my favorite poets too! Keep witing!
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