Sunday, May 17, 2015

Concert




Concert


They stand
Earnest
Pressed
Butterflies in a net
Off cotton white
And satin black

Hair tamed
Ribboned
Curled
Braces on teeth
Gangly limbs
In soldier formation

We sit
Rumpled
Proud
Cameras in hand
Grays splayed
Skin creased

They wait
Unfurled
Wings
On cusp of flight
While ours crumple.
Such short splendor.



- Theresa Milstein







39 comments:

  1. Like Aliens from outer space .... But pretty ones , such as Whitley Streiber could not have seen

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    Replies
    1. Comparing middle schoolers to aliens--I wonder how they'd take it.

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  2. Love it. And I could totally relate to the experience of sitting there.

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  3. Is that from experience? Does your daughter dance?

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    1. My daughter dances. But this has to do with choral concerts for my daughter and band concerts for my son. I think of this more since my kids are old enough to be in middle school and high school. The kids are under nice spotlights, all gussied up. The parents are now older and sit under florescent lighting. The ascent and descent has struck me.

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  4. I like it, especially your contrast between the kids' appearance and the adults' appearance; it's something I can relate to, especially since I found yet another white hair today.

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    1. Neurotic Workaholic, I have a white eyebrow hair. I don't even know what to do about it.

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  5. Gorgeous! I really love this, Theresa. :)

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  6. I've been in that audience! Very nicely done, it had a wistful feel.

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    1. Nick, thank you. Glad I'm not alone in that audience! I've been feeling wistful lately.

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  7. Replies
    1. Anna, that's high praise after reading your contribution.

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  8. Powerful poem. You captured it perfectly.

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  9. Great imagery! I hope my boys will tame their hair for their upcoming concerts...

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    1. T, ha! My son had some big hair for a couple of years.

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  10. I don't have kids but this was amazing! Very good.

    I don't have Google+ comments on my blog anymore (FYI.) I hope you have a good holiday!

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    1. Thank you very much, Bekkie.
      I think I noticed there was no comment option on your blog.

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  11. Replies
    1. Tess, gray hair is supposed to be sexy for women now, right? I've got to get on board!

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  12. Oh, Theresa! That is beautiful! So lovely and sad and perfect and inspiring. Absolutely captures the feeling of adults watching kids who have their whole lives in front of them.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Caryn. I think you captured it better than me.

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  13. Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Lynda. I'll post the link to your blog after the holiday tomorrow.

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  14. Love the comparison and the tale each of the snapshots bring into life.

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