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Thursday, August 22, 2019

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!


38 comments:

  1. Such a lovely tribute: I know he would have liked it.

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    1. Thank you, Ruth. It was both a joy and hard to write.

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  2. Linda, what a beautiful tribute to Lee. When the first petals blow, we shall all remember Lee. Your poem has such a soothing quality to it. Thank you for making my dull gray day seem bright with love.

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    1. Thanks, Carol. I appreciate your words, and while sad to read, also joyful to see all that Lee meant to everyone.

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  3. I don't have this book nor know this poem. Thank you, Linda. Your poem speaks to what I and so many feel. He certainly made the most of his time here. I just wish I had gotten to know him sooner. I bask in the camaraderie, support, love and creation that is the Poetry Friday community that means so much to me. See you soon! Big hugs to all who celebrate and grieve.
    Janet Clare F.

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    1. It is a special day today, isn't it, Janet. I'm looking forward to our time together at Highlights! Thanks for coming by!

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  4. Hello dear Linda - oh my, this is so sadly beautiful & poignant, your "After Lee's Poem, Change." It is everything to hold onto him a little bit more & also to continue sharing

    "book after book"

    Appreciations from far away : Jan

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    1. Thank you, too, Jan. The words from Lee giving us "a little bit more" are like big hugs today, aren't they?

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  5. And too, After Lee's Death, Change. Thank you for this poem, this repetition of such a gentle line that soothes sorrow with your words. Together we remember and hold dear "book after book and smile after smile." xx

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    1. You're welcome, Amy. I know we and those after us will remember & be so glad for Lee's books.

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  6. So gorgeous, Linda, and wistfully comforting. Thank you. XO

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    1. You're welcome, Robyn. Every post I read, though sad we all are, brings smiles, too, as Lee did.

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  7. Thanks for sharing an anthology/poem that I did not know--ebbing toward a sleep-time season is so perfect. And I love how the repetition turns your poem into a song of sadness and thankfulness.

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    1. You're welcome, Buffy, I am happy to share a new one to you, along with doing some small thing for Lee.

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  8. How have I not even heard of this collection — me, who loves short poems??? Well, I'll certainly be remedying that! Your own poem speaks of change and transition in such a soft, delicate voice, Linda — it's exactly what we need right now when so many of us are feeling fragile. Thank you.

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    1. You are welcome, Michelle. It is wonderful that I'm sharing one new to you and others. I'm sure there are many I don't know, either. And I'm happy you felt some comfort from my poem.

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  9. I didn't know of this collection, either. i'm so glad you shared it. I've missed your blog while you've been traveling. But, I'm so glad you've traveled to family. I hope you got a big fill-up of family love and laughter. What a sweet and tender remembrance of Lee..."for book after book and smile after smile." Well done.

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    1. Thanks, Linda, it was bittersweet to write, yet I am happy to write one for Lee. Yes, I had a marvelous time with my family, always so short!

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  10. When the first petals blow is such a lovely line to repeat in a tribute to the very poet who wrote it. What a full life he lived and shared!

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    1. Indeed he did! Thanks, Margaret. The line is one I've loved for a long time.

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  11. Lovely poem, Linda. Your repetition of the phrase is perfect.

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  12. Oh, Linda, that is just gorgeous! Lovely...

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  13. "...sweeping up words as you say your farewell" seems just like something Lee would do. And you've shared what we all feel with these words, "We know we’ve been blessed to have had you this while." Thank you! Thank you, Linda, for this poem. Small Talk is not in our library collection, but I found it on Amazon. "Change" would have been a good poem to pair with our Kiss Summer Goodby paragraphs that we wrote every year in September.

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  14. Thanks, Laura & Ramona. Your idea of the pairing is terrific, Ramona. I loved sharing the poem. Glad you found the book!

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  15. Lee's words woven with yours, Linda, is the perfect tribute to a true legend. =)

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  16. He did bless us with his words and his actions. May we all seek out and encourage the talent around us.

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  17. Such a sweet, tender poem. It has been a joy to read the poetry Lee inspired and to learn of new poems from him.

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  18. I agree that it's been wonderful to read everyone's posts for Lee this week. Thanks, Bridget, Mary Lee & Kay!

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  19. Your poignant poem is so lovely Linda. Loss is like this isn't it. Certain environmental events trigger memories and recollections. I too love your line, sweeping up words as you say your farewell.
    As I read all these posts this week, I am sad for the authors, sad for the community, and sorry that I never got to meet this amazing man.

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    1. I only had a few connections, Cheriee, & with Skyping at the Highlights workshops, but even then, felt his warmth & passion for what he did, cheer for poetry. It is wonderful that he left those gifts for all. I am sad for those very close, a heartbreaking loss to them. Thank you.

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  20. So lovely, Linda! Especially that last line.

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  21. What a lovely repetition of Lee's line--you make our loss, this change, beautiful and your gratitude deep. I hadn't seen this anthology before, either. Thank you, Linda.

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    1. Happy to share an anthology new to you, Heidi. Thank you!

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  22. So much happens after those first petals...a very thoughtful poem, Linda.

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    1. Thanks, Matt, it was not easy, yet a pleasure to write to celebrate Lee's life.

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  23. "We know we’ve been blessed to have had you this while." That's exactly how I feel, Linda.

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