On Unpredictability
by Jill Chan
Where is he now, the boy who said,
“You're so unpredictable.”
And I was just a girl
content with sitting,
with the way the evening falls
predictably as all others remain.
I wonder what kindnesses
he brings to his family
by being steadfast
as he was with me—
looking shy though he was never
shy with others, the predictable others.
All that have changed in me,
I give to you now.
The night has wavered with me
as if solemn at last,
marveling at how wrong
we could be when we love
or admire and are forgiven,
because we love,
we eventually love
as never before.
|
2
favs |
1097 views
4 comments |
110 words
All rights reserved. |
Author's Note
a poem
Other stories by Jill Chan
Tags
Comments
You must
log in
to post comments.
I like the way the poem gives a spine in its form to delicate, evanescent feelings and holds them firm until they yield understanding.
Like this a lot. Nice balance of nostalgia without an over-drench of sentimentality—very hard to do well, & you do it very well. Especially like the ending 8 lines, and the simple but apt truth of “because we love,/we eventually love/as never before.”
Good form, Jill. I like the phrasings throughout - Especially:
"The night has wavered with me
as if solemn at last,
marveling at how wrong
we could be when we love
or admire and are forgiven"
Nice.
Thank you David, Ed and Sam! Thoughtful comments. I was afraid this might be too sentimental. So, glad you liked.