Poetry Friday - Grateful Words

         It is a particularly special Poetry Friday today, a celebration, a remembrance for Lee Bennett Hopkins. Noted for his support of many children's poets through publishing 120 anthologies and support of their writing. The words will live on, as memories of Lee will.            
         Thanks to Amy Ludwig VanDerwater at The Poem Farm for hosting. 
         Tag with #DearOneLBH 

I chose a line from a poem in the anthology Small Talk, A Book of Short Poems, published 1995.

I used the poems often, showing the promise of creative communication in only a few words. Lee’s poem itself is a gem, one I shared often at the school year’s beginning. It is titled “Change”. I appreciate so much that year after year, Lee collected the best poetry (including his own) from wonderful, talented and thoughtful poets and gave his collections to the world, to children.

                After Lee’s poem, Change

When the first petals blow,

I see you flying on with them,

sweeping up words as you say your farewell.

When the first petals blow,

I hear whispers of longing:

“Stay a bit with us; come, sit for a spell.”

When the first petals blow,

I’d spare a moment to thank you

for book after book and smile after smile.

When the first petals blow,

and the leaves swirl around us,

We know we’ve been blessed to have had you this while.

Linda Baie ©

         Here is Lee's poem. Perhaps you'd love sharing it this beginning of the school year!