The Thinker

She saw her son out sitting on the swing,
not even swinging, simply doing nothing.
“Whatcha doin’, son? Without blinkin’
he said (like he always did), “Just thinkin’.”

Her son (with cell phone) held a glass of ice.
He had not even turned on the device.
“Whatcha doin’, son?” He just sat clinkin’
his glass of ice and answered her, “just thinkin’.”

She gave a birthday party for her son.
He sat alone and would talk to no one.
“Whatcha doin’, son?” He just kept shrinkin’
like a violet, and said, “Just thinkin’.”

Her son was at the table with a book
at which he did not even take a look.
“Whatcha doin’, son?” she asked (heart sinkin’)
Of course he answered her, “just thinkin’.”

The mother had enough, so on a whim
some paper and a pen she gave to him.
“Son, write down what you’re thinkin’ for me, please.”
Her son began to write with greatest ease.

He wrote and wrote and wrote. 
           Thoughts from his brain flowed to his hand.
What ponderings! What stories!
           What inventions he then planned!
“You’re brilliant, Son, 
           but what of all the other things you never told me?”
“Don’t worry, Mom,” he piped up.
          “I have a photographic memory.”

Jan. 3, 2021 
for the Just Thinkin'....... Poetry Contest of John Lawless
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Watt Avatar
January 7, 2021 at 8:38 AM
Congrats on your podium win, Andrea. I enjoyed reading this one again ~ John
Goldsmith Avatar
January 6, 2021 at 7:33 AM
Congratulations on your win. A wonderful story/write. Your last line, “I have a photographic memory,” was a creative way to end it. Wish I had that kind of a memory. Enjoy your win. Today, have joy/blessings..................
Brul Avatar
January 5, 2021 at 6:20 PM
Wow!!! Such a great mom...Nowadays moms don't bother to be that attentive to son as they are busy with multitasking.....This is a poem that conveys inspirational thoughts for a mom like me...I will try to do same thing for my son toda...Thank you so much for posting this dear Andrea. And congratulations on your win..
Lawless Avatar
January 5, 2021 at 4:23 PM
Very nice Andrea. Quite an ingenious take on the theme. totally enjoyed the story and its presentation. Thanks for participating in the contest
Laurie Avatar
January 5, 2021 at 3:14 PM
Hello Andrea … I guess most of us writers done a lot of thinking before we began writing our thoughts down. I truly did enjoy your poem Andrea. It reminds me of myself - thank you - Lindsay
Jayasankar Avatar
January 5, 2021 at 4:38 AM
You are TRULY BRILLIANT Andrea... just enjoyed reading each and every line of it with a smile on my face... Great rhymes... I did this with my son once.. and TRULY... he wrote a wonderful story for me that day, but other than that, his ideas are all beyond my understanding.. Lol... Hugs ~ Ani
Ball Avatar
January 4, 2021 at 5:12 PM
Excellent Andrea as always. Loved this. A winner for sure. God Bless, JB Sorry I pulled another disappearing act. Had been seeing spots and having dizzy spells for some time. Ended up in hospital with a ruptured appendix. Spent two weeks in hospital then home on total bed rest. Getting stronger now.
Kendrick Avatar
January 4, 2021 at 3:11 PM
Reads like a good contender for the contest. Thinking is a good past time. Thanks for the visit to my page. Sara
Watt Avatar
January 4, 2021 at 10:08 AM
Sometimes it takes an encourager like this mom was, to put the pen in the hand and paper on the table. Boom, the floodgates open. Clever idea, best wishes.
Babcock Avatar
January 4, 2021 at 9:43 AM
Enjoyed this piece and a clever write. Think we all are sitting and doing a lot of thinking these days. love phyl
Proxenos Avatar
January 4, 2021 at 8:37 AM
Hi Andrea, what an interesting write and very clever also. Best of luck in the contest my friend. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Pandit Avatar
January 4, 2021 at 5:48 AM
I liked the ending part--very clever write, Andrea.
Rodrigues Avatar
January 4, 2021 at 4:15 AM
This is a wonderful piece! Perhaps a POTD in sight! I love it! We need to do more thinking! Happy New Year, sweet lady!
Mcintosh Avatar
January 4, 2021 at 3:47 AM
This is brilliant. I love it. It's a sure winner!!! You always come up with the most creative and genuinely original poems. I love it. God bless you
Buhagiar Avatar
January 3, 2021 at 11:05 PM
Didn't expect that ending. Sometimes people are just quiet absorbing everything. ~~
Summers Avatar
January 3, 2021 at 8:07 PM
So aptly fits the contest. Great ending, good luck in the contest.
Horsman Avatar
January 3, 2021 at 7:12 PM
Different from you Andrea, yet so thought provoking, love the twist at the end...Stay Safe...Harry
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