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To My Daughter Away at College

Mary Kennan Herbert: an award-winning American writer no less!

Like a lullaby,
I hum the miles,
songs of the miles
between us now;
strings of counties,
interstate exits,
two state lines —
it’s not too far
but it is too far.
A commuter train,
the bus from Hell,
pack trains of mules,
a blind padre
on his burro,
weary armies on foot,
beggars, cattle
share the road
leading to your kingdom.
Warblers and young angels
fly overhead,
on the Atlantic Flyway,
heading your way,
migrating south, laser beams
and walking fingers —
they all know where you are.
I hear you singing,
up half the night.
You would not sleep
through the night,
all that first month,
so I held you
and sang to you,
infant of mine,
my hope, my song.

Last modified: 25th November 2005