Back in the day
You were my astronaut baby
And I was your universe
And part of me thought
I would always be able to
Keep you safe,
But, of course,
Even then you kicked
And pushed against the world,
Seeking to be free.
It’s a special day at dVerse – Quadrille #44 – those poets who use all the words will be stretched to the limit! De is keeping bar at the poets’ pub tonight, and asks us to write a poem in 44 words – no more, no less – including the word “kick”.
Sarah writes poems 
I love that you took that approach to kick… like X did it’s one that I would never have thought of since we don’t have children..
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I played with lots of ideas, but that’s the one that stuck. Once I had that astronaut baby floating there, I had to go with him…
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LOVE it! ….. you were my astronaut baby and I was your universe….I am certain there is a song in those words! 🙂
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Thank you, Lillian! Maybe there is…
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“And I was your universe” — as a mama, this leaves me without breath. Just beautiful.
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Thank you!
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Ha. Our thoughts were not that much different today.
They were so much easier once upon a time. Actually mine are teenagers now,
so they are a little easier to handle.
I probably should not say that out loud.
The astronaut//universe connection you make to being in the womb
is really cool.
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That kick is really important. Mine are teenagers, too. Easier in some ways…
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I thought this was going to be a Major Tom poem. That was all that ‘kick’ suggested to me.
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Ha! I see what you mean ☺️
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Once I’d got him orbiting in my head I couldn’t think of anything else 🙂
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Lovely thoughts in this. I’m not a mother and haven’t had much contact with children but this reminds me of how my mother would have felt. I like the take on this…you were my universe…lovely.
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‘You were my astronaut baby And I was your universe’ is so beautiful Sarah and yes, I can see a song here too!
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Wonderful, Sarah! I love the astronaut baby/universe metaphor, and children kicking and pushing and kicking against the world – an old story that will be repeated again and again, but is always new to each generation.
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Oh yes, and parents will struggle with getting the balance right every time.
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You softened the kick with these marvellous maternal moments
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Thank you!
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Poetry in its true form… astronaut baby and you, the universe. The picture you paint with this is beautiful.
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Have I ever encountered such a visionary metaphor before (one I, uh-hum, took too literally at first glance :)) ? Nope! What an amazing write!
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One can only keep them safe for so long, but it is a memorable time.
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Absolutely.
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And we should let them go free, smiles ~ I too love:
You were my astronaut baby
And I was your universe
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We have to. That’s what it’s all about…
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Lovely take on the prompt.
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Thank you!
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This worked so well, Sarah. It must be such a challenge to see those little ones grow and become their own persons.
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Fabulously written…some kick harder than others!
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Thank you. I was going to go for something a bit more kick-ass, but once I had that astronaut baby in my mind I couldn’t ignore him.
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Like others, a clever and heartfelt write – such a lot in these 44 words.
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Thank you. Sometimes 44 words seems like a lot! and sometimes not very much at all. I do like a quadrille.
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This is so sweet. What a tender take at the word “kick”. Loved it.
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Thank you!
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Love the big ideas you tackle with so few words- the parental push-pull of freedom vs. safety. Really nice!
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Thank you! It’s amazing what you can do in a quadrille sometimes.
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Bravo! The tension is perfect in this one; and so the world keeps turning and the kids have kids and become us, and the experience is rolled along.
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Such an amazing, beautiful poem–astronaut baby and I was your universe. Wow.
It made me think though of when my younger daughter was about three, and she asked me, “Do you remember when I was in your belly, and I hiccupped and that made you laugh?”
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