Fathom Mag
Poem

Lately, Now and Then

A poem

Published on:
February 11, 2019
Read time:
1 min.
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She was not the first child born
but rather the first one to survive.
Death stole her brother and sister,
siblings still wet with dew. Life
ushered her to the front of the line. 

She should have been the third—
traditionally the clown, the jokester,
life-bringer to parties, laughter by the
barrels. But after being crowned
she put away such thirdish things. 

She’s built worlds since then, this
organizing principal vowed to keeping
everyone alive. I’d not be if not
for her. But I’ve noticed lately, now
and then, the original order restored.

And I’ve heard my mother’s mirth. 

John Blase
John Blase preached for over a decade but then he thought he’d go where the money is, so he started writing poetry. He’s a lucky man with a stunning wife and three kids who look like their mother. He lives out West but he’ll always be from the South. His books include The Jubilee: Poems, Know When To Hold ’Em: The High Stakes Game of Fatherhood, and All Is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir (co-written with Brennan Manning).

Cover photo by Mat Reding.

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