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Poetry | April 2010

Unexpected

By Rebekah Skaggs

Because you want pickles for breakfast.

Because you say no with conviction.

Because you smell like pancakes.

Because spaghetti sauce covers your face

and you eat with brow furrowed.

Because your toes are round and dirty.

Because you laugh madly and off-cue.

Because the hair behind your ears erupts

like the wings of a charging goose.

Because you jump hard as if to subdue the earth.

Because a tractor is the ultimate prize.

Because a slide is best used backwards.

Because in my arms you are a strong slippery bass.

Because you lie on your back outstretched

and scoot away like a starfish following the moon.

Because you will wake warm and rumpled,

and call out to the world with shrieks and bouncing,

and when I come, and open the door

you will cry mama! with surprise and joy

as if somehow I were the unexpected gift.

11 replies on “Unexpected”

Sarahsays:
April 27, 2010 at 1:53 pm

What a wonderful, joy-filled poem. I love it.

Reply
Clairesays:
May 4, 2010 at 8:09 am

I love this!

Reply
Chrissays:
May 4, 2010 at 9:29 am

‘wings of a charging goose’ – that is perfect! Well done. :)

Reply
Carolsays:
May 4, 2010 at 9:38 am

Sweet!

Reply
Laurenesays:
May 4, 2010 at 10:01 am

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Brittasays:
May 4, 2010 at 10:28 am

This is beautiful and such a great perspective. Thanks Rebekah!

Reply
Bethsays:
May 4, 2010 at 11:37 am

Beautiful! Thank you for my morning tear-up! :)

Reply
Brianasays:
May 4, 2010 at 11:51 am

Clear and perfect. I hear his mad laughter and feel the tug of her heart.

Reply
Margaretsays:
May 4, 2010 at 2:33 pm

Rebekah, this is BEAUTIFUL! Gave me goosebumps all over.

Reply
Shelleysays:
May 5, 2010 at 9:55 am

I especially love the last line.

Reply
Lisasays:
May 10, 2010 at 3:44 pm

My fave Rebekah poem ever. :o)

Reply

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