Vehicles

I take up my usual place on the sofa
with a cup of coffee;
your eyes light up,
bigger and brighter
than a Supermoon
because you now have my full attention.
You grab a baby walker;
of course you are no longer a baby
but it makes the best noise for
a host of different vehicles.
You roar past me
from one room to another
Look Im a fire engine!
Fires are rapidly extinguished
with amazing sound effects
involving spit.
Next time you appear
the baby walker is a lawn mower;
you tell me not to worry,
you wont really cut the floor
because that would be silly.
A police car, excavator and
steam roller all take their turns
in your own mini theatre
of imagination
until you begin to slow down,
rub your eyes and sit next to me
with teddy and a book.
What are you now? I ask.
Theodore, you say
as you snuggle close.

53 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. leamuse
    Oct 11, 2014 @ 13:28:27

    OH CHRISTINE! You’ve gone and done it again. My eyes have once again misted up. Happy reading!

    Reply

  2. Ina
    Oct 11, 2014 @ 13:42:44

    That last line says it all. “Theodore.” πŸ™‚ Lovely poem ! ❀ xxx

    Reply

  3. Cynthia Jobin
    Oct 11, 2014 @ 13:46:06

    This is tee-riffic!!! Your grandmother poems are all wonderful and touching, but this one makes me sit up and take notice of it as-a-poem ( you are well aware of my annoying habit of doing that). It is my favorite kind: it speaks of common things in clear language but all the while, the diction, the imagery and meter, make it uncommonly evocative…it works as philosophy without the theory. It is a simple seeming vehicle, but a vehicle capable of taking you many places….bravissimo!

    Reply

    • journeyintopoetry
      Oct 12, 2014 @ 10:19:25

      Ah Cynthia,my teacher! 😊. As I have said many times your comments, always so thoughtfully expressed, really do help me to keep building my confidence as a writer, something I never thought I was capable of doing. and that you are looking at this ‘as a poem’ and commenting so positively gives me a very warm feeling, thank you!! 😊

      Reply

  4. lscotthoughts
    Oct 11, 2014 @ 14:32:08

    Oh, this is adorable, Chris, and that last line happily tugs at the heart…I also love “mini theatre of imagination.” Beautiful poem! β™₯ xo

    Reply

  5. mihrank
    Oct 11, 2014 @ 17:01:17

    This is terrific – Bravo!!

    Reply

  6. Peter Wells aka Countingducks
    Oct 11, 2014 @ 17:15:41

    That’s a delight and just captures how fleet of foot the imagination of a youngster is. You always bring the pleasure you get from their company out so skilfully in your poetry. I love that

    Reply

  7. Harry
    Oct 11, 2014 @ 18:36:07

    Beautiful Christine.

    Reply

  8. Wendy Macdonald
    Oct 11, 2014 @ 21:04:08

    Christine, this is so tender. You reach our hearts each time you share yours.

    Blessings ~ Wendy ❀

    Reply

    • journeyintopoetry
      Oct 12, 2014 @ 10:27:03

      Thanks so much Wendy! I really do feel so blessed to have five lovely little grandchildren, and as I said to Peter above, being able ro write about them is a bonus and another blessing in itself. xx

      Reply

  9. katepoet
    Oct 12, 2014 @ 03:22:32

    Excellent!

    Reply

  10. Minuscule Moments
    Oct 12, 2014 @ 04:42:45

    Christine that last line is so gorgeous, I love how children tell it how it is or use their giant amazing imaginations. What a beautiful tribute to childhood.

    Reply

  11. Rob McShane
    Oct 12, 2014 @ 06:49:57

    Paints the picture perfectly Christine. Your poetry lives, breathes and touches the heart. Simple moments as they are becoming perfect memories. Love it! πŸ™‚

    Reply

  12. belfastdavid
    Oct 12, 2014 @ 10:07:06

    This poem introduced a smile into my life this morning πŸ™‚

    Thank you

    Lots of love
    David xxx

    Reply

  13. Jennifer's Journal
    Oct 12, 2014 @ 19:24:37

    Beautiful! I love your poems; you are one talented lady. πŸ™‚

    Reply

  14. Polly
    Oct 13, 2014 @ 06:39:30

    Lovely, poignant, special – I was with you every step of the way – could see each scene so clearly – wonderful writing πŸ™‚

    Reply

  15. kathryningrid
    Oct 13, 2014 @ 21:53:53

    Even though all of the other characters are excellent and fun to play, being Theodore is obviously the best because he can snuggle up with you! So sweet!! xoxo,
    Kathryn

    Reply

  16. Betty Hayes Albright
    Oct 14, 2014 @ 03:00:05

    Christine, I love this one so much – brings back memories of when my boys were little. I’m so glad you’re able to spend lots of time with your grandchildren – giving you double the memories. They all have such great imaginations, and you’ve written this so tenderly and lovingly. You’re giving THEM memories too! xxoo

    Reply

  17. Jane Thorne
    Oct 14, 2014 @ 09:17:04

    Oh Chris, I love this so much. Life through the eyes of a child…..joy and innocence, so beautifully captured in your words. ❀ xxxXxxx

    Reply

  18. Norma (Through My Eyes)
    Oct 14, 2014 @ 11:25:47

    Oh that’s so precious Christine! You have captured the wonder and imagination of a child. I love the little games they play and this is probably the closest you can get to putting it in a box to keep. Just beautiful! xxx

    Reply

  19. SuzyHazelwood
    Oct 14, 2014 @ 15:11:00

    Aaaahhh – how lovely Christine, you describe these moments of life so well I could be right there in the scene! πŸ™‚ It’s amazing what fun can be had in a little ones mind with just about anything, turning items into whatever they want. It’s funny how when I was little I wanted to grow up so I could partake in all those grown things. My mum used to tell me it was more fun being a child, so enjoy it – but I still wished to be grown up! How right she was, imagination is so exciting, real life quite often isn’t so much.

    I remember using one of those tea trolleys to wheel my dolls down to the operating theatre! πŸ˜‰ Bit of a grim game, but I loved being a nurse, I’m pretty sure I’d hate to be one in real life though – fantasy is so much better!

    I love the way you’ve ended this poem, how he quickly returned to himself – time to leave behind the fire engines, police cars and steam engines for stories and cuddles! πŸ™‚

    Reply

  20. journeyintopoetry
    Oct 14, 2014 @ 18:45:02

    Haha! I love your game with the tea trolley Suzy! We had one of those. I feel like Ive missed out on a game now! I never thought of it but it sounds great. Only in a fantasy way though. like you I couldnt do the job in real life! And why did we want to grow up?! All generations seem the same! Your mum was right 😊.
    Thank you for this lovely comment xx

    Reply

  21. beckarooney
    Nov 16, 2014 @ 13:48:08

    AW! I’m in love with this poem. Tender and loving, the love just oozes out of every word. Beautiful xx

    Reply

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