Shawn L. Bird

For Friesens and Bhatias who are grieving the loss of their fathers this week.

.

I followed behind him on the beach.

He turned with a smile and opened his arms

for me to run into

and he swung me schrieking

high into the air,

catching my laughter on the way down.

I stood on his shoulders as he

launched me into the surf

squealing and splashing.

Then screaming and thrashing

as I gulped in salt water

and my feet desperately

saught security

until his hands reached down

and pulled me into the haven

of his embrace.

Your warm breath blowing up against my back

can fill the night with peace and with gladness:

A deep abiding sense of happiness.

Your breath’s a metaphor that shows the fact

That nothing in the world is better than

Being held tightly by strong and loving arms

In an embrace that protects from all harm,

An embrace that assures, “I am your man.”

And when I curl into that firm embrace

And place my ice cold feet upon your shins

For that quick quivering gasp that makes me smile,

You pull me tight and tickle with your chin

A bristly kiss that shows there’s no denial.

I’m thankful for the gift of heavenly grace.

.

.

(All fixed- iambic pentameter with a solid Petrarchan rhyme scheme! 😉

Submitted as part of Jingle’s Poetry Monday potluck on Love, Romance, and Relationships: http://jinglepoetry.blogspot.com/   Potluck visitors, please put a link to your potluck…