First to Last

From little unwrapping dreams

Comes slight and sweetly sensing

Later named and known.

A smile gently broadening

Shouted laugh

Sudden silent gasp

Then gone, glowed,

Wondered, slipping back to night.

First.

Until with friends

At last it comes again.

Until, then expected

At last is lost

This first shimmering

Of universal delight.

— ArrowWords, Nov 12, 2008

About This Poem

About the Author

Country/Region: CAN

Favorite Poets: Dylan Thomas, Walt Whitman, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Leonard Cohen, Constantine Cavafy

Critiques

Jo Latimer

17 years 6 months ago

Hi ArrowWords

Loved your poem, especially "From little unwrapping dreams Comes slight and sweetly sensing". Grabbed me from the outset. Regards, Jo

ArrowWords

17 years 6 months ago

Thanks and two changes

Thanks Jo. I just changed "little" to "small". Maybe I should have left it alone. I also changed the title to "Sometimes a Smile is Just a Smile". I am hoping to prompt the reader that there is more than one way to interpret this poem. Maybe that's not necessary. I appreciate any thoughts you have. Best regards, Don

Jo Latimer

17 years 6 months ago

if it ain't broke...

Hi Don - I actually preferred it before! More enigmatic. And I think, somehow, that "little" also fits better, but it's YOUR poem & you're the one who has to be happy with it! I always try and read them aloud & see which seems to roll off the tongue / flow better. Regards, Jo

ArrowWords

17 years 6 months ago

Back to "little"

Thanks again. Yes, it's my poem, but once it's out there not completely, and I like that. I changed it back. It is one of those things that go either way in my mind. Sometimes revisions are too much. Thanks for your helpful comments. I have also changed the title back. Cheers, Don

Lonnie

17 years 6 months ago

Great Poem!

Simple, nostalgic, and heartwarming! Very nicely done!