Earlier this week, Sarah Donovan once again invited teacher-writers to join an Open Write. One of her brilliant inspirations came from this poem by Joseph Bruchac. I am so grateful for my daughters, the oldest of whom will soon deliver a daughter of her own. I am pleased with how the simple form worked to express the connection I feel.
Expectant
When I place
my fingers
on the swell
of her womb,
like combing waves in an ocean
softly lapping
to shore,
her skin
gently movesMargaret Simon, 2020
as our time
ebbs & flows
mother to daughter
to daughter
together
in our own sea.
Reflections on the Teche 
Perfection. This poem must be given as a gift to your granddaughter, the day she is born with a photo of the three of you. You are a powerful bond, the three of you. I pray that God bless you and keep all healthy and safe in the birth and new days.
Thank you for this lovely thought this morning, Margaret! With all good wishes for a safe and healthy delivery.
Such a special time for a mother and daughter. Love the water images and the gentle tone of your poem. Stay healthy and safe.
Lovely Margaret, moving metaphors with water and ocean, it gives a sense of circular connectedness. I also liked your use of negative space from varying length stanzas— strong image too,thanks!
Oh, Margaret, this is so lovely. Your final stanza brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful! Holding all of you in my thoughts and hoping to hear happy news soon!
So sweet! Really lovely, Margaret.
More excitement and so much love in this, Margaret, “our own sea”! Heart-filled! Best wishes to you all.
Oh perfection! What a beautiful tribute to that bond.
Beautiful poetic tribute for a truly blessed event for you all. Sending all my best wishes for a safe, healthy delivery. 🙂
“mother to daughter to daughter”
Lovely.
Best wishes to the new mom and happy hugs to the grandmother who will get to share in raising a girl along with those two grandsons!
Such a moving, gorgeous lyric to the miracle that is life and creation, our interconnectedness, and love. All gifts too profound for words, but palpable here in your fingers touching the swell of your daughter’s womb, and the new grandchild within, responding, in the utter wonder of your own sea. I will have to look back at the Open Writes – sad I missed them. So awed by this poem, Margaret.
Oh, that final stanza, Margaret. What a poised, loving poem. (Love that picture, too–I’ve thought I’ve buying one of those spheres…)
The miracle of life is revealed in your lovely poem that is filled with beautiful images. Mother to daughter to daughter is a thought of wonder and love. May the waiting period for the new birth be filled with eager expectancy and peace, Margaret.