Rosalynn



She'd smile, and birds would feel that they no longer
had to sing, or it may be I failed
to hear their song.

Within a crowd, I'd hope her glance might be
for me, but I knew that she was shy, and wished
to be alone.

I'd pay to sit behind her, blind to what
was on the screen, and watch the image flicker
upon her hair.

I'd glow when her diminished voice would clear
the muddled thoughts, like lightening flashing in
a gloomy sky.

The nothing in my soul with her aloof
was changed to foolish fullness when she came
to be with me.

With shyness gone and hair caressed with gray,
her smile still makes the birds forget to sing
and me to hear their song.

About this poem

"Always a Reckoning" is a book written by Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States. The book, published in 1995, is a collection of poems. In addition to his political career, Carter has been a prolific author and has written on various topics, including his experiences, values, and reflections on life. "Always a Reckoning" includes poems that explore themes such as family, nature, and the human condition. It provides readers with a glimpse into Carter's perspectives and emotions through the medium of poetry. If you're interested in exploring Carter's literary work, this collection offers a unique and personal expression of his thoughts beyond his political achievements. 

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Submitted by JP03 on July 09, 2015

Modified by acronimous on November 23, 2023

42 sec read
2,877

Quick analysis:

Scheme AXB CXX XAX XXX XXC XXB
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 653
Words 139
Stanzas 6
Stanza Lengths 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3

Jimmy Carter

James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. (born October 1, 1924) is an American politician, author, and member of the Democratic Party who served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. He was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize. more…

All Jimmy Carter poems | Jimmy Carter Books

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1 Comment
  • Magdalena Głowacka
    Magdalena Głowacka
    Written with love!
    LikeReply 17 years ago

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"Rosalynn" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/43977/rosalynn>.

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