Showing posts with label poems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poems. Show all posts

Thursday, July 6, 2023

The Unloved Things

 

My friend, Pam, posted a poem by Nicolette Sowder last week. It really spoke to me and my philosophy about finding beauty in everyday life:

May we raise children who love the unloved things
By Nicolette Sowder
 
May we raise children
who love the unloved things - 
the dandelion, the worms
and spiderlings.
Children who sense
the rose needs the thorn
and run into rain-swept days
the same way
they turn towards sun.
 
And when they're grown 
and someone has to speak
for those who have no voice,
may they draw upon that wilder bond,
those days of
tending tender things.  
 
She mentioned her husband giving a combine ride to their four grandchildren. That's a familiar scene for us, too - at least, until this year. Here's what she had to say:
 
They worried over every butterfly, bug and sunflower that the combine might have to devour to get the precious kernels of drought-stricken wheat this year. I missed out on this as there clearly was no room for one more body in that crowded cab. But, I can imagine their commands to “wait, steer clear, turn around” in order to save what they see as tiny, beautiful and valued.

 
We were at the Stafford golf course during the holiday weekend. It was the perfect day. I had my favorite golfer with me. It was not too hot and no one else on the course. It was verdant green against a cloud-splattered bright blue sky after some rains. I had a great book to read.
 
I recommend this book: "Drowning" by T.J. Newman. I also liked her first book, "Falling." They are excellent if you like thrillers!

I remembered that poem as we drove from tee to tee on the golf course. The groundskeeper at the course chooses to go around the purple poppy mallows that bloom wild and so abundantly this time of year in the course's rough.
 


Some might see them as weeds. He sees the little purplish-pink blooms and doesn't want to chomp them through the mower. I don't know what the golf course board thinks about his mowing decisions. But I can't help but think that he has just a little bit of childlike wonder in seeing those "weeds" as flowers.

Just like the poem reminds us, perhaps the world could be a better place if we tended "the tender things" - including the people who inhabit it.

I should have looked at this while I was still on the course and tried again to get the sunflower in focus. But I definitely noticed the beauty of the sunflowers lining the ditches along the eastern border of the golf course.


Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Brooke's Adventure: A Story in Rhyme

Grandma and Grandpa and a girl who's named Brooke
Together, quite an adventure they took!
Her mom was not there, and neither was dad.
But there was still tons of fun to be had!
Our first stop was the Hutchinson Zoo
There we saw geese and an owl that went "Whoo!"
One critter is not like the others, we said.
It's good that the fox was in its own shed!
 
Sometimes it's scary to walk down a path
When a pelican's there and might show his wrath!
 
But Brooke, she was brave and she forged on ahead.
Thankfully, no pelican feathers were spread!
 
The two little donkeys; they came to the fence.
They looked right at Brooke; their stare was intense!
It was almost as if they wanted to chat
But Brooke doesn't speak donkey - no doubt about that!
Frogs, fish and lizards were next on the map
These are not creatures we'd want on our lap.
But it was just fine to look through the glass
Watching the animals there as they'd pass.
In the reptile house, Brooke entered a bubble
Turtles swam there with no sign of trouble.
Swimming with turtles seemed fun to the girl.
Wouldn't it be fun to give that a whirl?
Into another bubble went Brooke.
She was all ready to give it a look.
Brooke and a prairie dog stood face to face
What a wonderful, magical place!
Were we so brave we could walk through some bones?
Yes, we could do it without any groans!
It was just for pretend, so Brooke wasn't scared
Since with her Grandpa she had been paired.
We were all done with our time at the zoo.
But we still had plenty of things we could do.
Into the car, we went for a drive.
Sometime later at the farm we'd arrive.
Animals don't just exist at the zoo
Grandpa has an awfully cute crew!
Brooke had three little kittens to hold
Cuddling with kittens? It doesn't get old!
They are so fluffy, and they are so soft.
Brooke held the one called Callie aloft!
Zoe and Starlight, other names that she chose
They are so cute - from their tail to their nose!
After our supper, it was time to go fishing.
We'd catch lots of fish: That's what we were wishing!
But not a single one did we catch.
Our hooks and the fishes - I guess they don't match!
We fished the next morning: We tried a new spot.
Did we have luck? Oh, no, we did not! 
 
Brooke wasn't afraid to hold onto a worm.
She wasn't scared, even when the worm squirmed!
Later, she touched a small minnow, you see.
Then returned it to creek, where it swam away free.

The third place we tried was a kids' fishing pond
And again, at Quivira, no fish did respond.

So Brooke grabbed the camera. She held it just so.
Sometimes, you just have to go with the flow.
Grandpa posed for the camera: Brooke gave it a snap.
'Til Grandma said, "OK, that's a wrap!"
Grandpa and Brooke took a stroll down the road
To find where some trolls and some fairies were stowed.
Grandpa created a fun hideaway
Exploring a fairyland is the perfect play day.
"Under-doggies" were next on the wish list for play.
Brooke liked to soar high, as the swing it did sway!
Grandma's house has plenty of toys
Playing with princesses gives plenty of joy!

Helping in kitchen is another great skill.
Making a pizza? Brooke knows the drill!
Spreading out sauce and pepperonis to plop
Brooke did it all with a pizza to top!
When Grandpa was young, he liked trips to the creek.
He thought it was quite an adventure to seek.
Cows wondered what these two intruders would do
As they watched and they wondered and let out a "moo!"
A girl named Brooke wasn't fond of the mud.
She picked up her feet to get out of the crud!
Even though there were minnows to catch
Brooke and the mud weren't making a match.
Brooke wasn't impressed by the Rattlesnake Creek.
If Grandpa would walk, Brooke would take a peek!
It was somewhat surprising Brooke wasn't afraid
To hold a small minnow without any aid!
But, yes, she would do it. She was certainly brave.
 She wanted a photo so the memory she'd save!
While dirt and some grime were not her first choice
Getting dressed up gave Brooke cause to rejoice!
Side-saddle riding on her favorite steed
 And a crown on her head made her princess indeed!
She wanted a fancy braid in her hair.
Sadly, Grandma's hair skills don't feature much flair
We brightened the hair-do with two little bows.
It was just the right thing for Brooke's princess clothes!
 For four generations, this church has been home
For Grandpa and family, no reason to roam.
Sunday School gave Brooke a chance to go sing.
She also drew pictures: It was quite a fun thing!
Singing is something that Brooke likes to do.
She and her Grandma, they sang quite a few!
VBS songs were their favorite choice.
To dance and to sing in a very loud voice!

During the weekend, Grandma read lots of books.
While going home, Brooke gave them more looks.
She could almost recite them by word and by heart.
Reading is sure to make little girls smart!
A tired little girl then dropped off to sleep.
No more page turns, no more stories to keep.
Grandma and Grandpa were so happy she came.
 A fun time with Brooke was surely their aim.
The grands can't wait 'til it's time for more fun.
For more adventures, more love by the ton!