Poetry Friday - For our new year - 2026
It's Poetry Friday, and Catherine Flynn is hosting HERE on her website, Reading to the Core! She shares her poem that one can use as a guide for 2026, lovely to ponder as we start living the year!
Thanks for hosting, Catherine!
I've been thinking about the impact one person can have on lives near and lives far, something that nudged me as I've had a lot of time recently with my grandchildren, Carter, who lives far away, but was here during the holidays, then Ingrid and Imogene who live near, and during "their" vacations, have helped me so much managing the bookstore's donations. It's been a busy time for everything, but donations continue to arrive, and my usual volunteers are busy with their own holidays and families.
Margaret Mead's words stay with me: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." Have the girls and I changed the world? No, yet I imagine they might later in their lives. However, they did change the bookstore's inventory, always needed.
Recently, I read a folk story about the robin. Perhaps you know it, but it is new to me. It appears to have some variations if you search for it.
A Tale of Old
(to be so bold)
Praise this somber feathered friend
winging home in dark of night.
A father and son shivered in their bedding,
fire’s embers weakening as they slept.
Robin noticed its light subsiding,
flew to see what could be kept.
Its fluttering wings returned fire to life,
adding warmth to the strangers’ beds.
In the deed, it scorched its chest
earning its name, Robin Redbreast.
Linda Baie ©
Yes, I’m familiar with this tale of Robin Redbreast, and you so tenderly share it in your poem! The small yet mighty have brought change and I believe will continue to, thanks for your poem and thoughts of goodwill, we need continuous reminders of them! 🥳
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to think of a robin. Thank you. And, Happy New Year to you and the grands and your children too. I’m so grateful for this place I can come to on the internet that is positively positive and full of love.
ReplyDeleteLinda M.
DeleteThanks, Linda. Your poem is full of hope and joy.
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for sharing Robin's story so lovingly in your poem. and I love thinking of you and your grandgirls whipping that bookstore into shape. You ARE changing the world! Love! xo
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone, for coming by! It was such a delight to learn this tale and then to write about that wonderful robin! Wishing you some grand moments out in nature!
ReplyDeleteLinda - Sorry you were having trouble with Wordpress on my site. Thank you for responding. I went in to delete the extras and somehow I lost them all! Sorry about that. Maybe someday I'll "discover" how to figure out technology.
ReplyDeleteIt's very strange, but I have discovered that if I go directly to a post instead of through Inlinkz, it works! I'll come visit again! Thanks for trying, Rose!
DeleteA lovely poetic summary of the folktale, Linda. I only recently heard it and also heard that robins are supposed to be visiting spirits of loved ones who have passed. I had only heard that assigned to cardinals. Spending time with grands is the best, and I'm happy that you enjoy and "employ" yours. I believe we can change the world one act at a time, so you are off to a good start! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI also haven't heard the other tale, Jane. Thanks for that & for coming by. Yes, the time with my grands was so special. Now older, I certainly see them less.
DeleteTime with your grandchildren can be so magical. Never underestimate the impact you have in showing them they can be part of making the world better. They are listening and watching :) Lovely poem. I had not heard of this folktale.
ReplyDeleteLinda, your poem is amazing!!!! Love the story and the amazing line breaks. I never heard that story, and thanks to your lovely poem, I will never forget it!!!! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteCharming poem, Linda! Thanks for sharing that origin story. I'm glad you had quality time with your grands. Very special for both of you :)
ReplyDeleteYour poem is lovely, Linda. I wasn't familiar with this story, but I love how it epitomizes Margaret Mead's quote. Never doubt that your work at the bookstore, and time spent with your grandchildren, are changing the world in meaningful ways. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYou’ve changed the world in the most real way — by shaping hearts, lifting others up, and living with compassion. The girls already carry that forward because of you. I know you helped shape my life!
ReplyDeleteThank you to all, sorry so late to be back to poetry! Your comments make me want to find more folktales created for animals. I'm glad to share this with you, loved it very much, & the robin's first appearance in the spring will bring lots of smiles!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the Robin story in your poem. How wonderful for you to be with grandchildren you don't get to see often.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jone, yes, it is wonderful to see them, and work with them, too! I was quite taken by the story!
DeleteThanks, Linda. While I'm familiar with a lot of folklore, I did not know the story of the robin. Thank you. I'm glad you got to spend time with your grandchildren and they were helpful in the bookstore. You are living my dream! I'd love to have a bookstore/coffee shop. Ha! I believe that small changes can add up to big ones and that we can ALL have a hand in changing the world...one step at a time. Thanks for your positive influence! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI so agree, Carol, nice to give you a new story! I hope you find a way to have that bookstore/coffee shop! We have a coffee shop just a few doors down the block from the store! Happy New Year to you, too!
DeleteI wasn't familiar with that folktale, Linda, but I adore the poem you wrote about it. I love "flew to see what could be kept." Yes, find more folktales about animals and ... write more poems about them! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the idea of your granddaughters working with you to change the bookstore and the world, one book and one good deed at a time. ❤️❤️
The idea of looking has intrigued me, Karen! And I love your idea of making good change with the girls! Thank you!
DeleteA delightful tale re-imagined as poem. Well done Linda.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alan, I'm happy you enjoyed it!
DeleteLinda, it is wonderful that you had time to be with your grandchildren. I am sure that they enjoyed time with you as well. You and your grandgirls made changes in life with volunteerism. The girls will grow up understanding the benefits of volunteering at the hands of their grandmother. The Robin Redbreast story was beautifully told in your poem.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome that your grandkids get to help you with the bookstore!! And I love this poetic telling of the robin's story.
ReplyDeleteLove this. Thank you Aunt Linda!
ReplyDeleteI’ve spent a lot of time with my grandchildren and hope it makes a difference because they can be hard, so energetic. I love your poem-story of the robin. I had not heard it. It’s a sweet tale.
ReplyDeleteGood morning everyone, and thanks for your comments! It is a delight to work with the grand girls, and was lots of fun to write about the dear robin, whose arrival means spring to many of us! Happy January!
ReplyDeleteYour bookstore is ABSOLUTELY doing good in the world! The do-good doesn't have to be big and flashy. Every small action counts.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary Lee, I worked the bookstore shift today and thought of you all day, seeing people leave with their "special" books. You're right - doing good! We need it!
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