Tuesday, August 18, 2009

E is for Epithalamion

Epithalamion (ep a tha LAY me in): a song or poem in honor of a bride and groom.

I wrote this for my daughter's wedding two years ago. I folded it and thought I'd put it in my pocket so I could read it to them at the service. When the JP asked if anyone had anything to say, I put my hand in my pocket but the poem wasn't there. In the rush of getting ready, I'd accidentally put it in the book I was reading instead of my pocket. I was so mad at myself. I didn't find it until a month later. And I still haven't shown it to them. After I finish this post, I'm going to print it out and mail it to them. 'Bout time!

BTW, my daughter's name is Erin Elizabeth

You can see more E things at ABC Wednesday.
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Epithalamion: A Few Words for Erin and Shaun

It’s a cold icy day
at sugarloaf.

Erin, Gloria and I
are making our way
carefully down
a slope
that is not treating
us very well.

Seven-year-old Erin
gets frustrated,
plops down on the snow,
throws her ski poles
off her wrists,

plunks her chin
on her fist
and refuses
to go on.

Gloria and I try
not to laugh
as she whines
and cries.

Finally, she picks
herself up,
puts her ski poles
back on and continues
down the slope.

Today, she’s doing
the same thing
as she maneuvers
the ski slope
of life.

Sometimes the trail
is smooth and smiling

and sometimes it’s not.

But how lucky
she is to have
Shaun skiing by her side,
to help her when she falls,
to find
her ski poles
and put them back on,
to pick her up,
wipe the snow
from her clothes,
and, together,
make it
to the bottom.

23 comments:

James said...

Thankfully this treasure wasn't lost for ever. I have a feeling it will be cherished for a long time.

Gerald (Ackworth born) said...

haha you've embarrased her now but I'll bet she'll forgive you.

foto CHIP said...

I think I would have dropped dead in such a situation. A new word for me - hope I will remebe it :)

anthonynorth said...

It will be a great treat, even now.

Anonymous said...

This was really heart-warming..
Beautiful!!
Erin is so lucky to have a mom like you and soon she is gonna shed a tear too, after reading this..:)
Oh! How would you have felt then..believable..
A'ways, better late than never, do it Linda..let your daughter get the flavor of your poetry soaked in love!!
Keep writing!!

EG CameraGirl said...

Your poem brought tears to my eyes. It's beautiful. Yes, make SURE you do send it to her.

Carol said...

A beautiful poem, Linda...they will both love it and maybe even more so now after two yrs. of marriage....

Rinkly Rimes said...

A memory turned into a poem turned into a celebration. A great progression!

Granny Smith said...

This is precious! I'm so glad you found it and plan to share it with your daughter and son-in-law.

photowannabe said...

Well put Linda. I'm sure they will appreciate it even more now and cherish it always.
Thanks for the new E word!

Beverley Baird said...

What a remembrance they will have and how their marriage has been celebrated by you!
Thanks for sharing that lovely poem - and I have learned a new word!

April said...

New word for me as well. This is such a lovely sweet poem!

Tumblewords: said...

Oh, how nice this is! And as it's said: better late than never.

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

Great poem and great new word. Thank you for sharing!

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

How lovely - hope you have mailed it to them now. They will treasure it. Great E post - and thank you for your visit to mine. A

Bradley Hsi said...

Beautiful, I am sure your daughter will appreciate it, even if it came late.

jay said...

That's beautiful! I think you should get a calligrapher to write it all out for you, frame it and give it to them as a gift! They would treasure it forever!

New word on me, too - I love new words!

Irene said...

Linda, a new word for me. I think your daughter will love your poem...

Roger Owen Green said...

new word, lovely sentiment. My mother's and niece's middle names are both Elizabeth.

squirrel said...

Thank you, I learned a new work and enjoyed your poem, what more could I ask for at the start of my day. Thanks.

Q said...

So lovely.
Epithalamion is a new word for me.
So happy your poem was found and now can be shared...anniversary time?
Sherry

Dimple said...

I had to find out what that word meant; lovely poem.

Judi said...

I'm sure they will treasure this for a long time.

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