It's Poetry Friday, and Cathy Mere is hosting HERE on her blog Merely Day by Day! In the poem she shares, we learn some good steps for what is certainly next for us all. I am inspired and grateful to start this special Poetry Friday after Tuesday's election with all of you. Thanks for hosting, Cathy!
Since Tuesday, and during the days before the election, I watched Vice-President Kamala Harris become a woman whose actions I appreciated so much for my grandchildren, a grandson and two granddaughters, to see. She showed resilience, strength, and oh, so much intelligence in her explanations. She had great responses, and especially when questions felt charged with the goal of catching her out, perhaps in a contradiction from previous words. It looked tough, but she was tougher!
I enjoyed learning about Kamala Harris's childhood, and seeing the photos of her as she grew up. And, I began to imagine when babies and toddlers in early childhood begin to have agency. If you've experienced that, you might recognize what I wrote and perhaps have your own examples! After this poem's stance, I have hope that every young one will carry on!
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| My two granddaughters, journaling on a zoo trip quite a few years ago. |
How It Works
I learn by one to watch Mama’s eyes
to see if I’ve cried enough to solve the problem
of thirst.
My puzzle at two is to assess the room
to discover a strategy for escaping from the crib.
The problem at three is to wait until both parents are asleep
and won’t reverse my decision to crawl in bed with them.
My flexible brain at four uses my memory of problem-solving
in order to use my abilities to fetch anything I want,
like the cookies high in the cupboard.
At five, anything can happen.
Linda Baie ©
15 comments:
Linda, I also was impressed with Kamala during her concession speech. She spoke with dignity. There was no divisiveness or anger.. Her smiles were comforting against the tears flowing from supporters' eyes. May we all continue to carry on with hope in the days to come.
Oh I do love this, Linda. Such a great reminder that in time, we grow and change. And that we can't hurry time!
Thank you, Linda. I love how you portrayed a child's growing agency. Once you've figured out how to get the cookies, anything can happen. Here's to a hopeful tomorrow and beyond.
LOVE your poem, Linda -- so heartening and uplifting, taking us step by step, stage by stage. It all takes time, and the right time. Kamala's continuing the fight; she leads by brilliant example and it was an honor to bear witness to her competence, resiliency and strength during her campaign. Who else could have energized as many people, organized so quickly, raised that much money, on such short notice? This country missed an unprecedented opportunity to have an extraordinary President. I hope she runs again.
Thanks to all. Here we go into some uncertainly about those in power, but no uncertainly with those who know right from wrong! Let's go!
Oh, I love this kind of scientific, systematic poem, ending with such a magical, open-ended line! Fabulous...and inspiring. Trying to keep the faith.
We had an author visit today and I saw every five year old in the building, so I just love the line that "at five, anything can happen." So very true!
Thanks, Laura & Marcie, obviously we all agree about those five-year-olds!
I love the way your poem shows us "The Way It Works!" Here's to giving every five year-old the chance for a bright future. EVERY one of them.
Linda, I appreciate the introduction you wrote about Kamala and the hope for the children to carry on. Beautiful. I loved remembering stories of children at each of those year milestones you mention in your poem. Children are amazing, aren't they?
Thanks, Mary Lee and Denise. Children are the top of my list for best wishes in their lives!
The agency of children — oh, I love this, Linda! Despite feeling gutted since Tuesday, I know you're right. Carry on. ❤️❤️
We have loads of 2- and 3-year-olds on our block and two of them have recently become big siblings. It is almost painfully beautiful to observe day-by-day--from across the street--how they change and grow and use language. AGENCY. I think not that many of us have had the privilege of experiencing it, and that's how we find ourselves in this pickle.
My grandchildren are ages 1, 2, 3, and 4. I can confirm everything you have written here. Oh my, the first turns 5 in May. Bahahahaha!
Ah, Heidi and Cathy, It seems you have current and first-hand experience! Thanks for letting me know, & now I want to know more!
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