Holding My Own Hand

Poetry Friday logo by Linda Mitchell

Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)

Have you seen the interesting poems consisting of overheard snippets of conversation that Susan Thomsen’s shared over time at Chicken Spaghetti? This week’s poem isn’t made up of all overheard snippets–but it was inspired by one. I really did hear a little boy at a fast-food restaurant say, in amazement, “Look, Mom! I’m holding my own hand!”

 

For this week’s treasure chest of poems, visit the Poetry Friday Roundup with artist/poet/creator Robyn Hood Black. Typing her name makes me smile at the gorgeous mermaid-themed bookmark I bought from her Etsy shop, artsyletters.

31 Responses

  1. That’s a good one! I love the last stanza. How children are so wise and can make us think.

  2. Laura, so sweet. I love that little boy! And I’m just going to sit this week with the power and wisdom in that last stanza.

  3. If we always paid attention to the young ones, right? I love the thought for us and the rhythm that fits so well, Laura.

  4. Out of the mouths of babes! Kid observations are a perfect inspiration for poetry. Thanks for this touching post.

  5. What a wonderful thought! That little guy discovered an important life truth that day — how fun to be able to witness that.

  6. Wow! This is a wonderful lesson in self-empowerment and love. So touching, Laura. If mountains grind to sand … it feels like that sometimes!

  7. With the details you include, I can easily imagine the scene. I love how you’ve turned an overheard conversation into a powerful poem!

  8. What a wise little boy! Lately, I’ve been feeling lost and needed a reminder to hold my own hand. Thanks, Laura. xo

  9. This is lovely, Laura! I will have to remember this and take it with me next time I help in Sunday School. What a great lesson… Thank you!

  10. Oh, that’s so wonderful! My son and I once made a “thankfulness tree”, where we cut out tree shapes from paper and wrote down things we were thankful for, and he said very empathically, “mama, I’m thankful for ME!” Such a good reminder that we are enough, just the way we are. <3

  11. I love how you caught the boy’s excitement. And I agree, the last stanza could stand in its own- so lovely and wise.

    My now grown-up daughter, when she was very young, but in the “me do it” phase made a similar declaration, though the context was quite different: to my plea (ok, maybe order) that she hold my hand as we walked across a busy parking lot she said emphatically,
    “No, I hold my hand! I hold hand, Mommy!”

  12. Love this, Laura. As someone else said, “Out of the mouths of babes!” You’ve created such a deep, inspiring poem from those overheard words.

  13. That’s lovely Laura. It is a universal truth. You set the scene so well with the rain and the vinyl.

  14. Laura, I am late to the Poetry Friday Roundup but inhale a deep breath and plunge into the reading with your post as a kick-off. How lucky I am to be delighted by your overheard conversation that is just the right piece to make me smile. I will need to start listening in now. (I am sorry that I have not wrote back about a NCTE proposal. I am drowning in life’s demands right now.

    1. Hugs, Carol. Drowning in life’s demands. I so understand that. No apologies needed. I think NCTE 2024 isn’t going to be in the cards for me this year, and I’ll miss connecting in person with wonderful educators and friends. But… trying to get on proposals is just too much. I feel you. I hope the demands on your time and heart and energy ease up and smooth out in the coming year, Carol!

  15. Ah, I know those mama’s tired eyes — and also the relief of knowing that our children can sniff out joy even amidst those wild, blind stars. Thank you, Laura.

  16. Another hooray for the rhythm and last stanza, so tender yet strong, thanks Laura!

  17. Kudos to you, Laura, for knowing this snippet was a treasure — and I’m sure that young mama appreciated your kind look! I’m with the cheerleaders for that last stanza.

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