A very touching poem Sandy, Expression of love for a child and the joy of seeing her grow until that moment we have to let go.

Jun, the Cavatina is one of my favorite pieces too. I play classical guitar, and have finally mastered this piece, much to my sheer delight. When my daughter Erica asked me for some selections to play for her wedding, she had a harpist and flutist, I mentioned the Cavatina. The 2 performers had never heard of it, but were very happy to discover this little gem, adding it to their repertoire. It's simply beautiful, very emotional, and this poem rested in my mind for a few days, knowing that this music would be the perfect accompaniment. I wrote this poem in one sitting, which is very rare, almost as though it was dictated to me from another realm of time...

Ironically, I just rented the Deer Hunter, a film that I have never seen. It left me with such disturbing images that re-emphasizes my disgust of illegal wars, 2 of which we are now fighting. It is Viet-Nam all over again where the hapless youth are brain-washed by the profiteers of war to join the wars that they have chosen. I thought twice about bringing this gentle music into a celebration of life, with its dire images, but the purity of the music, as you know, is timeless for all generations. And I just want to pick up my guitar to play it again...

Lorna, Jun and Sara, thank you for your comments because I feel that this poem is very special. My daughter, Erica, who has lived in the DC area for 2 years, just got married Oct 24th. She and her husband are both 38, the first marriage for both, and neither has any children from past relationships. We never dreamed that it would happen, that she would marry Ted later in life. The ceremony was held in Alexandria, Va, at a very old mansion, the Woodlawn Plantation. I just remember the amazement of it all, then thinking that her husband now becomes the center of her universe.

Sandy, your poetry always has a haunting quality, like a voice from a realm of archetypes and icons, where your story is at once personal and universal. As a parent I recognize that moment of letting go while hoping that the love was enough..

hi sandy!  stanley myers' cavatina from the deer hunter is one of my favorites.  it always brings out a sense of longing when i hear the guitar strains, like standing back in the shadows.  i wonder,  is that the name of the child you write about?   ---   jun

Lovely Poem Sandy. Wonderful way of expressing your love to your child.

Sara