Joyous - he's coming home

 Joyous - he's coming home


Whimsical original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025

It’s the 12th of June, my dear son is coming home soon
Should be here by noon, I’m so joyous, over the moon
I last saw him four years ago (or was it more? Not sure)
His coming home is so good for my soul, this I do know
Has he changed a lot? A little maybe (he’s a grown man)
In my heart, he’s still my little baby, (I’ll hug him if I can)
I’ve cooked his comfort food of meatballs and spaghetti 
Even kept two glasses and a bottle of Chianti all ready
Can’t wait to see him; he is my pride and my joy
Strong and handsome … so proud of my little boy

Comments

Anonymous said…
So emotive, Kieran. The words evoked a little pain in my heart. (A close relative on WhatsApp)
June 12, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Kieran said…
I can tell the words resounded with you … that’s the power of poetry. Take care, God bless - Kieran
June 12, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Anonymous said…
Beautiful poem, Kieran...for the painting, a little slimness to the shoulder line, a curve a little straightened to the neck, maybe...just try it as an additional sketch....maybe a difference that could enhance the effect...she is wating eagerly, poised to meet him, leaning ahead, the line of the back tilted forward in anticipation, the tension seen in the muscle of the feminine shoulders different from a male's....do my words make any sense? Just my thoughts shared..(A very artistic friend who strives for perfection in his photo essays, on WhatsApp)
June 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Kieran said…
My artwork is very spontaneous. The poem was an afterthought. This whimsical artwork, my own composition, of a woman in grey (implying loneliness) exuding joy (colorful butterflies and stars) was the original idea. When it was done, I set it aside and early this morning I was reminded about an episode of a mother counting down her days to her son’s visit … she was so happy even her friends asked her about it
June 12, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Anonymous said…
I can so relate to that, for when I went home after my first spell in a boarding school first term, the family was at the railway station with eagerness, flowers and my favorite snacks...so the poem is so right...the emotion well cast, a longing well described, innately beautiful. (Reply to abovr conment)
June 12, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Anonymous said…
It resonates with all of us- esp we empty nesters.
Well done brother (A sister on WhatsApp)
June 12, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Kieran said…
Thanks dearest sister. Not surprised as I had a very special empty nesters mother in mind when I penned the poem. The artwork, my own composition, came earlier as a study in contrasting Black-n-white to showing yearning and colour to show joy. At that time I wasn’t thinking poem. Glad you liked it - Kieran
June 12, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Anonymous said…
Good morning, Kieran. Really sweet poem. Metaphor for our lives. What inspired this? (A dear friend on WhatsApp)
June 12, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Kieran said…
My mother’s friends told me she was so excited counting the days when I was visiting her back in 2011. I had no idea but that thought is very heartwarming for me. It was so easy to bring her joy, yet work and family kept me busy. - Kieran
June 12, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Anonymous said…
Expressive Words - from your heart. (An appreciative friend on WhatsApp)
June 12, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Kieran said…
I was thinking about my mother when I wrote this. My mother’s friends told me she was so excited counting the days when I was visiting her back in 2011. I had no idea but that thought is very heartwarming for me. It was so easy to bring her joy, yet work and family kept me busy. - Kieran
June 12, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Anonymous said…
Yes- we could all do more for our mothers. (Reply to above comment)
June 12, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Anonymous said…
Touching! (A close relative on WhatsApp)
June 12, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Kieran said…
You must’ve felt like this too, right?? - Kieran
June 12, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Anonymous said…
Yes completely! Are you referring to your son [coming home] (Reply to the above comment)
June 12, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Kieran said…
This one goes back a few years on my last visit to Poona for Mum’s 87th birthday. My mother’s friends told me she was so excited counting the days when I was visiting her back in 2011. I had no idea but that thought is very heartwarming for me. It was so easy to bring her joy, yet work and family kept me busy. - Kieran
June 12, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Anonymous said…
🥳🥳🥳where is he based Kieran? (A relative on WhatsApp)
June 12, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Kieran said…
I had Mummy in mind when I wrote this poem. This one goes back a few years on my last visit to Poona for Mum’s 87th birthday. My mother’s friends told me she was so excited counting the days when I was visiting her back in 2011. I had no idea but that thought is very heartwarming for me. She must’ve sensed it would be our last visit abd when it was time to say goodbye she gave me an extra tight hug. That moment remains etched in my mind - Kieran
June 12, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Anonymous said…
Lovely… but a hard read for me. (WhatsApp comment from a very dear neighbor who recently listened to her only son)
June 13, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Kieran said…
Oh no, certainly did not mean to upset you, dear Carol

I wrote this poem inspired by a happy memory.

I had my mother in mind when I wrote this poem. This one goes back a few years on my last visit to my hometown in India for Mum’s 87th birthday.

My mother’s friends told me she was so excited counting the days when I was visiting her back in 2011.

I had no idea but that thought is very heartwarming for me.

She must’ve sensed it would be our last visit abd when it was time to say goodbye she gave me an extra tight hug and she passed away a few months later.

That moment remains etched in my mind - Kieran
June 13, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Anonymous said…
What lovely heartfelt moments in time for you and your dear mother. I can picture her counting the days to see and be with you. She did a good job raising you, Kieran! I’m glad you got there in time to share time before she passed on. ❤️ (Reply to the above comment)
June 13, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Kieran said…
Yes, both my parents were a huge influence in my life. I was blessed to spend 10 uninterrupted days just either her. No wife, no kids, no distractions… our God is merciful and kind - Kieran
June 13, 2025 at 10:17 AM
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