Sunday, 17 June 2018

Shoulder blade




Tenderness is a parasol
in my father’s hand,
it’s the water he offers me
at the school bus stand;

it’s the large, white handkerchief
with which he wipes my face,
it’s the way he brushes my hair,
ties up a loose shoelace.

Tenderness is a shoulder blade
that takes my bag off me
and carries my books and all my loads
for all eternity.







Eid Mubarak and Happy Father's Day to all those who are celebrating! 



6 comments:

  1. Nice if and when you can count on someone who's that reliable, and can & will be so for so long.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Heartmeltingly lovely. Evocative and familiar.
    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sweet poem and yes - father's have shouldered burdens for years. I chatted with my father this morning. Take care

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Nila - Dads are wonderful ... that shoulder is always there for (most) of us ... wish mine was still around; delightful poem. A Blessed Eid and Father's Day ... I see Eid Mubarak denotes a greeting and means blessed celebrations ... glad I checked it out. cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  5. Aw, Nila, such a beautiful tribute to fathers everywhere. What lovely imagery. Father's Day in Oz is not until September.

    Hope all goes well in India.

    Denise

    ReplyDelete