FAST Sonnets in Cyberspace #1​5​

Birth-Celebrating + Birthday Poem #1

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He entered my still-broken world one bright
Winter morn — ten pounds of emphatic boy,
Wrapped sure in swaddling clothes of our delight,
Incarnate miracle — tidings of joy!
With newborn’s cries a symphony to start
A trio, I held you — and your wailing
Ceased as you rested close to your Dad’s heart.
But memories of a father’s failing
Sail along with newfound bliss — unwelcome
Barnacles clinging to hull of my soul.
Forgive me, son, when fear mocks and makes dumb
My hope — Best Dad, help navigate this shoal.
Our two-ordered lives You have rearranged —
Let son-forsaken past be ever changed.

© Bruce William Deckert 2022

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Related Post:
Birth-Celebrating + Birthday Poem #2​ — in Kayla’s honor​

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February 2022

POETRY 411 NOTES

• Milestone Birthday for My Son
Luke George Deckert was born 30 years ago today, to proud and glad parents Bruce Deckert and Mina Elizabeth Sykes Deckert — at 10:24 a.m. on February 3, 1992.

As I mentioned to Luke recently, he and Kayla are dynamic human products of a true marriage marked by true love — I didn’t employ those exact words in our conversation, but when one has an opportunity to put thoughts into writing, it’s possible to fine-tune and hone the message.

Since Mina and I started dating on November 8, 1986 — after meeting in 1984 — our relationship has been marked by more ups and downs than a roller coaster … friendship brewing like good strong coffee, marital hurts and anger flaring perhaps too often, and then friendship and passion renewing. But the bottom line, from my vantage point, is that we’ve shared real love — not a fake paste-on-a-smile and pretend-you’re-happy relationship, but instead a real-life and true-love and real-world relationship … and that’s the best kind, in my book, even in the face of our more recent heartache.

It is hard to comprehend that Luke’s birth occurred three decades ago — wow, 30 years can apparently go by in a few blinks of the eye.

• Storied Sports History
This blog focuses on faith-and-sports issues, so each FAST Sonnet in Cyberspace has a sports connection. In this case, see the reference in the ninth line to sailing, calling to mind competitions such as America’s Cup — the oldest trophy in international sport, dating back to 1851 and predating the modern Olympics by 45 years, according to the Cup website.

When I penned that sailing reference, I had no clue that Luke would be a seven-year veteran of the Coast Guard upon his 30th birthday — I’m thankful for his service.

Further, Luke’s stellar sports history has been evident throughout his life, complementing an outstanding academic and career history. He was a three-sport captain on his high school soccer and basketball and baseball teams, attaining all-conference in soccer and baseball. College sports didn’t pan out — giving him more time for other pursuits — but a local baseball coach I know who has trained many college ballplayers says Luke had the talent to play Division I college ball.

Naturally, I’m even more proud of his character intangibles and off-the-field accomplishments.

Regarding the college baseball coach who released Luke in the last round of cuts during his freshman-year tryout — as far as I’m concerned, not keeping Luke was clearly that coach’s loss. Again, Luke pursued other worthwhile college endeavors … and God has a Way of working these circumstances for good. I’m hoping and praying that this will be the case in every circumstance in Luke’s life and in our family.

• Sonnet Rundown
This is an English (aka Shakespearean) sonnet — a 14-line poem with 10 syllables per line, comprised of three four-line stanzas and a closing couplet, with this rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef gg.

• Sonnet-Wise, Less Is More
For my money, the sonnet is the best poem structure for the time-challenged and smartphone-distracted residents of the 21st century here in the so-called First World — instead of lengthy free verse, the sonnet offers a quick and power-packed reading adventure.

Luke is typically a man of few words, as the saying goes — certainly, a man of fewer spoken words than his Dad — so in that light, the sonnet is an especially fitting poem form to celebrate his birthday.

FAST Sonnets in Cyberspace #1

The sonnet is perhaps the best poem structure for the attention-distracted, on-the-go citizens of the 21st century. No lengthy free verse here — instead, 14 compact lines, 10 syllables per line, accompanied by certain rhyme schemes.

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THE BACKBOARD, though blemished, the years bear well,
Witness to losses, wild wins. But the rim
Droops low, lifeless — will no more fame foretell,
Ground right-angled. From driveway of time, dim
Voices call like playground hymns, bounding ball
Echoes … as cold mist mantles summer park,
A child’s lost memories shroud my heart, hopes maul —
For ere my dreams danced, they cried in the dark.
Dad-and-son team, signed to play side-by-side,
Torn apart on blacktop of time — facade
Of years won’t chase the pain or keep it hid —
While this father-taught game grieves at the trade.
   Oh, when I teach my son asphalt ballet —
   On forsaken Son’s court — with him I’ll stay.

© Bruce William Deckert 2012

NOTES
Poetry 411 — This is a Shakespearean (or English) sonnet. The rhyme scheme — the pattern of rhymes at the end of each line — is as follows: abab cdcd efef gg. Each letter represents a different rhyme, and the gg rhyme is called the closing couplet.

Alternate closing couplet
I’ll teach my newborn son asphalt ballet —
And like incarnate Son, with him I’ll stay.

Poll — Yes, you can vote for the closing couplet you prefer…