That's a beautiful piece. I like the use of the etch-a-sketch, which automatically made me think back to past years.
I love the noted milestones and recounting how they have changed from what you may have expected. How life has taken directions that you may not have guessed in those earlier years, but is still a life, filled with meaning.
Chris, as I shared with you privately, I love the specificity of this piece. And how you've used the nostalgia of the Etch A Sketch as a conduit for your speaker's grief, reflection, and milestones. Wonderfully done, and thank you for saving the words!
I love this metaphor. It transports me back to childhood, and then Eastward across the country to peek into your life. The closing words are beautiful. The aching honesty and love throughout... 💛
There’s something incredibly tender in this poem, like someone quietly admitting that the life they planned in perfect lines never quite survived the shaking.
I love how the Etch A Sketch becomes this painfully accurate metaphor for all the futures we once drew with such confidence.
The list of ages feels so real you can almost picture the speaker remembering who they were at each stage, and what they hoped for.
Each “Shake” lands like a small heartbreak, wiping away another version of the life they thought they’d have.
What moves me most is the shift from the imagined future to the real person standing beside them now.
There’s a softness in accepting that the life they’re living isn’t the mapped one, but it’s still a life shared.
The image of two hands turning two knobs together feels intimate, almost like a quiet promise renewed again and again.
I love how the poem doesn’t pretend acceptance is easy it feels more like learning to breathe inside a different story.
The final “Enough” hits gently, like someone finally choosing to stop rewriting and simply hold what’s in front of them.
By the end, it feels less like a poem about loss and more like a tender surrender to the imperfect, beautiful present.
As a fellow parent of a child with a disability AND an Etch A Sketch artist, I've often wondered why I love the fragile, erasable art form so much. I think you nailed it.
Chris, your poem beautifully captures life’s gentle shakes and rewrites...plans blur, milestones shift, yet through it all, grace and presence fill the moments we hold.
Never thought I would see that word pop up again. Great writing.
Thank you, much-appreciated!
That's a beautiful piece. I like the use of the etch-a-sketch, which automatically made me think back to past years.
I love the noted milestones and recounting how they have changed from what you may have expected. How life has taken directions that you may not have guessed in those earlier years, but is still a life, filled with meaning.
That was a truly wonderful read.
Really appreciate you Gary. You definitely expressed my own sentiments here.
Chris, as I shared with you privately, I love the specificity of this piece. And how you've used the nostalgia of the Etch A Sketch as a conduit for your speaker's grief, reflection, and milestones. Wonderfully done, and thank you for saving the words!
Thanks so much for the inspiration JC!
Beautiful
Thank you Hina!
Thanks for the poem & the link! I always love a good prompt!
Thanks for reading!
The Etch A Sketch tilt toward the light did something to me... like I could see the whole life plan go soft in real time.
Thank you Asuka
This has graced my Sunday beautifully Chris. I feel popped up.
Thank you so much Ral! Happy Sunday!
I love this metaphor. It transports me back to childhood, and then Eastward across the country to peek into your life. The closing words are beautiful. The aching honesty and love throughout... 💛
Awww appreciate your kind words Deborah, thank you for reading!
Wow, Chris! So moving, so beautiful, so relatable! 💛
Thanks Kristina!
What a fun way to be inspired to right! I love a good fun word. This was refreshing and whimsical to read.
Thank you!
I'll admit, and you won't ever hear me do this again, I had to look up the word palimpsest. Thank you, and goodnight.
Thanks for reading!
There’s something incredibly tender in this poem, like someone quietly admitting that the life they planned in perfect lines never quite survived the shaking.
I love how the Etch A Sketch becomes this painfully accurate metaphor for all the futures we once drew with such confidence.
The list of ages feels so real you can almost picture the speaker remembering who they were at each stage, and what they hoped for.
Each “Shake” lands like a small heartbreak, wiping away another version of the life they thought they’d have.
What moves me most is the shift from the imagined future to the real person standing beside them now.
There’s a softness in accepting that the life they’re living isn’t the mapped one, but it’s still a life shared.
The image of two hands turning two knobs together feels intimate, almost like a quiet promise renewed again and again.
I love how the poem doesn’t pretend acceptance is easy it feels more like learning to breathe inside a different story.
The final “Enough” hits gently, like someone finally choosing to stop rewriting and simply hold what’s in front of them.
By the end, it feels less like a poem about loss and more like a tender surrender to the imperfect, beautiful present.
Yes Adrião!
As a fellow parent of a child with a disability AND an Etch A Sketch artist, I've often wondered why I love the fragile, erasable art form so much. I think you nailed it.
Really appreciate your kind words and empathy Deborah! I’ll have to check out your work!
I was fortunate to have a few pieces featured in "Does It Have Pockets:" https://www.doesithavepockets.com/artandhybrids/deborah-salebutler-march-2025
Also, my son is about to turn 20. As people grow, you may find you have to erase the design less frequently.
Very cool!
Chris, your poem beautifully captures life’s gentle shakes and rewrites...plans blur, milestones shift, yet through it all, grace and presence fill the moments we hold.
Thank you so much, really appreciate your reading and feedback.
❤🤍❤.
Enjoyed..
Thanks Rita
“nothing is ever fully erased,
just written over
with steadier hands
and different weather.” Stunning as always!
Thanks so much HP!