Another surprise marks the near end of the summer season. For last week's Poetry Friday, I wrote about Sweet Surprises. One of the surprises was a meet-up with my poetry friend, Linda Mitchell, who lives about 15 minutes away. While writing that post, I did forget that it was the end of the month and that the Poetry Sisters/#PoetryPals invited all to take a plunge into their August challenge, WHAT THE ________KNOWS poems. The idea was to write in the style of Jane Yolen's eight-line, rhyming poem, What the Bear Knows. This challenge was in honor of Jane Yolen's 400th book.
I wrote two drafts of different poems earlier during the month of August with the topic "What Does Baby Know?" Because we have been Grandma and Grandpa sitting on and off during August, I chose to write about our twenty-month granddaughter whom we just stopped calling baby. My first poem below is slightly different than the suggested form but I wanted to add an additional stanza.
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What does the baby know?
To be curious about all thingsTo find joy in life's flow
To figure out how to throw
What does the baby know?
Be determined to share her sweet grin
To busy herself while having fun
Until each splendid day is done.
©CVarsalona, Summer 2021
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In addition to the poems and digitized images above, I created a haiku to accompany my slice of life about the first birthday celebration we had for my son. This can be found at my blog post, A Rain-Drenched Gift. Earlier tonight, our Spiritual Journey Thursday group under the leadership of Karen Eastlund wrote to the topic, virtue. While I struggled to get started, I decided to write a goal-setting poem on the virtues I would like to work on the rest of this year. That can be found at my blog under SJT Virtue.
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As the stroke of midnight approaches, I turn my thoughts to Poetry Friday. The amazing activitist poet-author-teacher, Heidi Mordhorst, is hosting this week at her blog, my juicy little universe. Heidi has an amazing array of thoughts, poems, and challenges for us to peruse at her poetrypalooza. Join me there.
I am gathering poetic and artistic expressions in the form of image poems, inspirational quotes, digital inspirations, music, artwork, and any other option for my upcoming Nurturing Our Summer Souls Gallery. If interested contact me or send in your offerings related to the topic. I have a Twitter hashtag, #NurturingOurSummerSouls, set up for incoming digital. Please send it to @cvarsalona also.
I can imagine you sitting in your poetry spot, listening to beautiful music and thinking about what babies know. Such sweetness to find here this week. I think we all could learn from babies if we slowed down a bit and observed them. We grow into adults that forget how to soothe.
ReplyDeleteLinda, some day I hope my little girls will read these posts I wrote about them, know that poetry love is evident, and pass the pieces on to their children. Babies are delicious little humans.
DeleteYour poems themselves are so sweet and filled with love and affection - but this comment is precious, too, Carol. So much love.
DeleteI love how you’ve captured the innocence of a baby and their “mindful ways”. It’s so true that we, as adults can “take their cues”. Lovely poem.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is full of truths about my little granddaughter, Amy. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Enjoy a day of #poetrylove.
DeleteThe wisdom of kids. I esp love her snuggling up into a ball! Lovely :>)
ReplyDeleteOur Little Aurora knows what she wants even though she says few words. The wonderful world of babies is a delightful place to be at, Laura.
DeleteI love your poems about the grands, Carol. I wrote quite a few through the years & created a book for mine which I'm sure you will do after some years pass. Maybe it's time to write more with the "What __________ knows" prompt? Thanks for such a rich post. And Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to capture your memories!
ReplyDeleteI love that third stanza that you added to the poem, Carol. Being with children can be a wonderful reminder of the innate things we unlearn as we grow.
ReplyDeleteYes, let's learn from Baby!
ReplyDeleteBaby knows best! I believe we are all born knowing everything and then we forget as we age and grow...explains a lot actually. Babies are the best inspiration. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the way you show up and provide for our poetry community just the way you do for your granddaughters, Carol!
ReplyDeleteI second Heidi!! I love your Baby poem and all the rest you have shared here. I am hoping I can send you some summer poems!! I will be writing a bunch for a couple of weeks where I will have more time. Finally. Oh watching the grands is so educational especially when we can go home to re-charge even when we would rather stay and enjoy. Ours had her first day of Kdg. yesterday. She told me, " I loved it a lot, Grandma!" I know she is in a good place. Hugs to you. They grow so fast. Janet F.
ReplyDeleteCarol, what beautiful things babies know. I love your third stanza on your first poem. Yes, indeed, why can't adults learn from babies.
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