My husband became intrigued with the word urchin recently, and he asked me to write a poem using the word. I jumped at the opportunity to write another sonnet, just in time for his 39th birthday today. I also drew the picture above with the software Paint, based on a photo I took of Yong Ih in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, soon after we met ten years ago. Yong Ih likes strawberry shortcake, so there it is…
Yong Ih’s Birthday Sonnet
You asked I write a poem using urchin,
A kind of shellfish that we like to eat.
It also means a child in the street
Who’s poor and dirty and most likely searching
For food or coins. This word is always lurching
‘tween two meanings. Thus it can’t be beat
At splitting both our minds in two – a feat-
ure forcing us out on a limb. Perching.
And yet we have not split. In fact we’re merging
Our lives together, intertwined for good.
We’re boyfriends – lovers – married men who should
Continue down life’s wondrous path, converging.
For I’m an urchin urging us to see
That I’m the one for you, and you for me.
– Bruce Ballard, May 28, 2015
Photo: Uni (sea urchin) with soba noodles. Heaven in a ceramic bowl.
I like that you write sonnets and may I presume other poetry? I liked the first one, The Guest, alot. The crocuses were so beautiful, also.
Bravo!