Linda Kulp Trout

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Poetry Friday: Mystery Seed

It was my plan to post on Poetry Friday every week this summer, but it hasn't happened.  I'm teaching a summer program, taking a class, and working on a picture book manuscript. Along with spending time with family and catching up on some household projects... Gosh, life sure does get busy, doesn't it?    

The thing is, I often have an idea I'd like to post but talk myself out of it because I don't feel that I can write it well enough to share in a short amount of time.  I start analyzing every sentence and it never feels quite good enough.  I'm trying to release (my one little word) that kind of  thinking  because it has kept me from getting the writing practice I need to grow.  I've made an agreement with myself to write from my heart and only proofread/revise once.  I'm going to try my best to stick to that agreement. Although I haven't posted, I do read and enjoy your posts every Friday.  I want to join in the fun!  So here goes!

 It's Thursday 11:00 PM, and I just finished a first draft of a poem about something very special that happened this week.  I wanted to get it down now while it's fresh in my mind. Like I said, it's in very rough form.  I'm not sure if I'll do anything more with it or just let it be a memory to share with my granddaughter.
 

Mystery Seed
  -for Evie and Grandpa

 Her tiny hands planted you
     in a styrofoam cup—
     a gift for her grandpa

 Barely a sprout--
     he gently tucked you
     into his garden

 Then he smiled
     wondering
     what you might become

 
For weeks his sturdy hands
     sheltered you
     from beetles, weeds, and storms

 
Swaddled in sunshine, water,
     and Grandpa’s love—
      you thrived

 
Your roots stretched and grew
      until you no longer needed
      his constant care

 
The day you blossomed—
      he sent her your picture
      and she smiled


        


                                                       Evie and Grandpa's flower

13 comments:

  1. Linda- I love this! If nothing else, it's a perfect love letter to your husband (I think that's who the grandpa is). I could see myself using it in a mini-lesson on how a character's actions tell who he/she is. This poem tells me a lot about this grandpa and his love for his granddaughter! Carol

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    1. Carol, thanks for the great suggestion on how to use this poem with students. Have you read "Grandpa's Shoes" by Deborah Chandra? That poem is also excellent for teaching character/action. : )

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  2. P.S. And yes to telling that inner critic to be quiet and just putting your words out into the world! They are plenty good! And this is a supportive and friendly community.

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  3. I hope that you post more often, Linda. This is lovely, to capture that memory for the seed, creative. Thank you for sharing a beautiful memory.

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    1. Thanks, Linda. I'm going to try to post more. Tim really gets away. I hope you're enjoying your retirement!

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  4. What a wonderful poem describing such a special moment(s) for a grandpa and grandchild! So beautiful!

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    1. Sue- thank you. I'm glad you liked it. I know you have a lot of special moments with your grandchildren too. I enjoy seeing those pictures so much. Just think we knew each other when not so long ago, our boys were small. : )

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  5. Linda,
    This is a lovely poem. I can identify with your need to have "good" poems to share on Poetry Friday. Mine are never good enough, but I ask myself if I will regret not taking the risk. And the answer is always yes. And, the more I write the better I get (I hope.) LIVE BIG. DREAM BIGGER.

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    1. Joy- I look forward to seeing your poems too. It is so hard to put your heart out there, but I think taking a risk in such a caring community like Poetry Friday makes it easier. : )

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  6. A sweet way to capture this special gift. Glad you joined in today.

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    1. Margaret- thank you. Kind comments like yours are so encouraging! : )

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  7. This is lovely, Linda--I loved that the you in the poem is the gift, and the way grandpa cared for it like he cared for the child. Thanks for sharing this.

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    1. Buffy- thank you. I was hoping readers would get what I was trying to express. I appreciate your kind comment. : )

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