August might seem like any other month to some, but for many Texas parents, it means taking their (all grown-up) children to college. Moving into dorms, getting class schedules, and starting their new life all by themselves. That was David Fruchter’s inspiration for this week’s Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Off She Goes
so full of feelings,
my skin feels stretched tight
got to keep them inside
she’s got enough to think about
no need to tell her how swollen
with pride
i feel
(as if i earned this, when it was all her)
no need to choke her with fears
that are suffocating me
will she fail
will they hurt her
will she grow so much
that she leaves us behind
will her debt cripple her for life
we’re doing as much as we can, to help
and i fear it’s not enough
but her face is shining
the car is packed
and the vast edifices of human knowledge
await her
it’s not my time, it’s hers
so i’ll wait until she’s safely installed on campus
to sit alone in that emptied car
and scream
Got an idea for a poem we should give to Typewriter Rodeo? Leave a comment, tweet us or send us an email at TexasStandard@kut.org.
