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from the issue of November 2, 2006
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American Life in Poetry
BY TED KOOSER, U.S. POET LAUREATE, 2004-2006
Many poems celebrate the joys of having children. Michigan poet Jeff Vande Zande reminds us that adults make mistakes, even with children they love, and that parenting is about fear as well as joy.
Clean
Her small body shines
with water and light.
Giggling, she squeals "daddy,"
splashes until his pants darken.
Five more minutes, he thinks,
stepping out quickly,
pouring himself a drink,
not expecting to return
to find her slipped under,
her tiny face staring up
through the undulating surface.
Before he can move,
or drop his scotch,
she raises her dripping head,
her mouth a perfect O.
The sound of her gulped breath
takes the wind out of him.
Her face,
pale and awed,
understands the other side
of water and air.
His wife didn't see,
doesn't know.
Her feet pulse and fade
in the upstairs joists.
His daughter cries,
slips from him, not giggling.
She wants out.
He tries to keep her
in the tub, in the light.
He's on his knees.
Reprinted from "Rattle," Winter, 2005, by permission of the poet, whose most recent book is "Into the Desperate Country," March Street Press, 2006. This weekly column is supported by The Poetry Foundation, The Library of Congress, and the UNL Department of English. This column does not accept unsolicited poetry.
GO TO: ISSUE OF NOVEMBER 2
ARTS HEADLINES FOR NOVEMBER 2
Exhibit features American prints
American Life in Poetry
Corea, Burton to play Valentine's Day show
Eckert, 'Horizon' return Nov. 9 to Lied Center
Exhibit celebrates Cather publications
Michelangelo biographer to offer Geske Lecture
Moscow State Symphony performs Tchaikovsky, Dvorák Nov. 11 at Lied
Petrie offers free film lecture Nov. 3
PINK AND BLUE POETRY
The String Beans to play 'Free at 6'
Theatrix opens fall season Nov. 9
732617S36402X
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