The following poem was written by my mother, Meg, before any of us knew the outcome of Ming’s court hearing on Monday. I thought she’d written it for Ming and that he was the gymnast, then I thought it might be for me because my hope was faltering; then I thought it might be for Anthony whose mobility is deteriorating; then I thought it might be for the various family members who have been affected by the car accident; then I thought it might be for all of us – everyone….
I now think Meg’s poem was all of those things, but it was mainly for our big, loud, dancing Ming!
Focus. Meg. April 14, 2014
A gymnast
On the balance board
Looks steadfastly
Towards that spot
Far in the distance
And his body
Perfectly in tune
Glides smoothly forward
Step by step
Unfaltering.
The tiniest distraction
Left or right
Behind ahead
Above beneath
He falls
Resolves next time he mounts the board
To fix his eyes
On One who beckons.
The board seems now so wide and safe
His toes spread out
His balance now regained
Secure.
A joyful happy jig.
The tightrope turned into a dance floor
Music
Laughter
Joy.
Thank you, Mother.
![390845_2866562262569_1215165788_33328343_23186296_n[1]](https://jmgoyder.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/390845_2866562262569_1215165788_33328343_23186296_n1.jpg)
PS. I think I need to get a new photo of Ming dancing because I am quite sure I have posted this one before; I also need to throw those obscene green shorts (that I bought Anthony for a joke over 20 years ago) in the trash. Why Ming insists on wearing them constantly is beyond my comprehension!
jmgoyder 
What a wonderful poem!! What a talented (and rhythmic) family!
Thanks Mimi.
Love this post, for oh so many reasons.
Thanks Ann.
Beautiful … I see where you get your literary prowess Julie …
Yes!
ahh dancing, the expression of joy! Does your mom write a blog? She should!
Diana xo
I suggested blogging to her but she is too private.
What a splendid poem.
Thank you!
I immediately sensed the spirituality Meg’s poem…..”On One who beckons…” after we focus on what really matters then we exude the confidence we need to move forward. Daughter and mother are gifted in beauty and the power of words.
Lovely comment – thank you Dale.
Go Meg! What a great family Jules. xo
I am lucky!
You are blessed!
How wonderful to be able to celebrate wholeheartedly.
And isn’t it amazing, how a good poem can be/mean different things at once? Also amazing is how surrounded by love you are!
Yes and yes!
Julie, your mom got some talent, it is a beautiful poem. It could have written for hundreds of folks, but I suspect Ming was in fact the prime. While I wouldn’t be caught dead in those green shorts, I am sure I wear stuff my wife feels the same as you do about those shorts. Take care, Bill
Haha re the shorts!
Love your mom’s poem, Julie. Please don’t throw out those green shorts.Men get so attached to some of their grungy old clothes. 🙂
Okay!
😀
What a beautiful poem, so specific yet so open to all interpretation, the creative talent in your family is amazing Jules 😀
Yes I like the way you can interpret it in different ways.
😀
What a great poem.
(and yes, we’ve seen this photo before……more than once, I believe…..but since I have a thing for young men in green satin shorts….. you can use it again ……and again ……lol).
You are hilarious!
Simply beautiful. (The poem that is, not the shorts!) 🙂
Definitely not the shorts!
Love the poem, especially because my daughter’s a gymnast ;o)
And again – good for you, good for Ming!
Wow – I didn’t realize your daughter was a gymnast!
Wow, the muffin doesn’t fall far from the oven. What a wonderful poem from the mother of a superb writer.
Haha – thanks for the compliment!
I love that picture! 🙂
And what a beautifully written sentiment for it to be able to apply to so many. Amazing when a writer can capture something that everyone feels a connection to.
Thank you so much!
Leave the shorts alone. They have unique style.
Mmmmm.
It is great to hear you are all dancing again. 🙂
It’s great to BE dancing!
That was awesome. What a lot of talent of putting words into a story!!!
Yes – I love it!
wonderful poem and happy post, jules )
Very happy Beth.
What a great poem…. and knowing his grandmother wrote it I’m sure Ming is touched as well… Diane
Very much so!
There is a lot of joy in those words. I’m glad for that.
Thanks Trent.
Very good poem.Your mother should get it published.
The green shorts would not go down well in some parts of Glasgow – it’s a Catholic colour.
That’s so funny Jane!
I once had a cycling jersey which had green and white on it. I was cycling through a rough part of Glasgow and got chased by some boys calling me derogatory names they use for Catholics.
Laugh is I am not a Catholic, but a good Presbyterian! Last Catholics in my family were before the Scottish Reformation in 1560.
!!!
Wonderful poem. Wonderful family, and beautiful boy. Maybe not the green shorts, though.
I agree!
What a wonderful poem loved it, those green shorts look like something Tim would wear and I agree they should be tossed.
I wouldn’t dare!
Ha Ha love your comment about the shorts. Thanks for sharing the lovely poetry
Thank YOU!