[blank renku] fledgling

fledgling rustles leafbed
caution grows on bold first flight
holding our breaths

As parent, I look on as someone's child
on tender wings embarks on spring's first flight.

Paul Guernsey © 2020

rows of chairs in gym

under spring’s new moon
soft new brightly tender leaves
unfurl into light

sapling branches reach clear sky
budding lives now come of age

rows of chairs in gym
sons and daughters crossing stage
hand wipes tear from eye

leaning less on mom and dad
now more from friends take courage

 

Paul Guernsey Player, Copyright © 2018/06/14

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In response to On a day such as this, 2001/03.

See also: Commencement, blank verse by Angela Umphers Rueger

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[edit 2018/06/15 pgp]

inserting first tanka [can I just call them stanzas?];

replaced last two lines of original stanza [tanka]:

previously:

little one’s adulthood gained
now more with friends than family

now reads:

leaning less upon adults
now more from friends take courage

[line 1] spring new moon –> spring’s new moon;

[line 9] leaning less upon adults –> leaning less on mom and dad