Prince of Rabbits

You have a thousand enemies, little rabbit,
all made the moment you came out
from beneath the safety of the earth.

How could you have known
about old, innocent blood on a far-away field

when your only thoughts
were of playtime in the sweet grass
as lush and green as your eyes could see?

The moon has seen
multitudes of pitiless horrors
play themselves out.

But it has also seen triumphs
and unforeseen beauty.

Feed yourself on those stories,
little rabbit, play to your strengths.

Keep a kind heart,
cultivate some cunning,

so that you may run with other rabbits
aware of, and delighted in, their power.

Make and find new stories,
Little Prince Unafraid
to Rebirth and Rename Himself—

stories of survival and joy to share
on cold, dark nights.


Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash



Song Choice: Baby Mine covered by Bonnie Raitt and Was not Was


Liner Notes for This Groove: This poem is linked to Poets and Storytellers United's Friday Writings Prompt. Today is also my Darling Youngest's birthday. Ren is 19 and I am proud of the young man he is becoming.

18 comments:

  1. Think of the stories of joy and survival on cold, dark nights and draw hope close.

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    1. Thank goodness for the stories that keep us going

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  2. Wonderful poem! Happy Birthday to your Ren!

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  3. Oh Rommy! This is beyond inspiring, and incredibly lovely.

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  4. Happiest Birthday, to your gorgeous Ren. May the years to come be full of wonder, plus the knowledge and feeling that he is loved.

    Also, I just loved the penultimate stanza--so much power in those lines.

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    1. He's started it off with good food and good friends, as auspicious a beginning as one can get.

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  5. Happy Birthday to Ren! And congratulations to his parents.

    I can't help reading your poem as an allegory for what is happening in Ukraine.

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    1. Dang... it *does* work on that level too! I hadn't spotted that. Thanks, Rosemary.

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  6. That is just plain ...sweet. To think of and then ink those thoughts shows how much you yourself love and appreciate nature.

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    1. Nature is often very inspiring. Thanks, JC.

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  7. Love the playing to your strengths message in your poem. May that prince of rabbits run wild with delight...Happy belated birthday to your Darling Youngest, and congrats to the loving parents!

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    1. Thanks, Khaya. He definitely is not one to sit still when fun is to be had.

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  8. Wow, this made me feel a lot of things!

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    1. Any time I can make a reader feel things is a win in my book!

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  9. Part tribute, part warning, part send-off into the world. Well done.

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