Little girl

I



Am

Life.
Unfolding in the world.

-

-

They will tell you not to go back.

Little girl.


Can you hear,
your mother speaking?
she is calling you home
to heal.

Take your place
in the village
little girl,
yours is
the whole world.

You must teach
your eyes to see
every man.


Little girl
I see you.

Believe.

In akua
in aloha
in ohana.

Believe in yourself.

When they ask,
why did you go back?
Tell them,
little girl.

Author's Note

May read as obscure, I’m good with that.

Ohana lore, Kanaka wisdom that dresses us in the lessons and wisdom of our mothers. That honors our place in the ‘village’, the place where the return ticket never expires. For my mom.

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

nice job Hippy! the sense of "village" and place for the "little girl" is strong in this piece .. i love the "obscure" quality ...free verse is my cup of tea ...and i notice the partial use of punctuation ...for me that is a real learning trip ...i feel it is needed in some places (in my own poetry) but never quite know where the cut off is ;) so i end up getting rid of all of it ... or going to the other side of the fence and try to use it properly ... you are courageous young lady ....i think you did a good job all around ... the space between "I" and the next line at first glance gave me a sense of being off balance .. but as I sat and stayed in that pause ... the importance of "I" seeped in ...very fine read ..i have 2 daughters and two sons ... all are precious .. but my bond with my daughters has a very special place for me ...
E.
ps. i like how you placed the dashes in the second long space ... it makes sense to me and lends some contrast and interest ..

[Island Hippy]

What a lovely review incredibly thoughtful. I don’t think I’ve written so sporadically before. Writing this was like a meditation (kind of) I thought of the songs my mom sung, the ways she was raised and that she instilled in my sister and those same things - traditions/beliefs. Mahalo for sharing about your daughters E that’s a blessed thing.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes it is special ..i use to sing my "goodnight song" to all my kids at bedtime and when i went into my younger daughters room (she was about5 yrs old) she said... "nooooooooo not he goodnight song daddy ... don't sing the good night song!" ....i did anyway and made her listen ...then tucked her in ;)

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Very dramatic, emotive and deeply touching free-verse poem. Minimalist lines, in the style of a mother’s words of guidance and wisdom to her beloved daughter-“Can you hear, your mother speaking?- a loving child always can. Strong words speak of pride, purpose, destiny, love. It is your story my Ohana. The spacing, use of repetition and separation add to the emotional, philosophical intensity of the message. “Believe in yourself.” You succeeded my friend, and your mother walks in your heart always. Excellent and powerful write.

[Island Hippy]

Your words and understanding are deeply moving, I am in no way surprised that you get it my ohana😊.

Ae, she’s definitely there with me, though I rarely have moments of grief & longing. I definitely have moments where her presence is strongly felt in our hale. It’s a comforting thing. Many mahalo ohana xo

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Xoxoxo :)))))))))))

[sette]

this is one good writing and the wisdom from mother to child is indeed touching and emotional

[Island Hippy]

Many mahalo sette

[Onlyme]

Lovely poem about wisdom and bond and honors with a family and village unit. Heartfelt, so sincere and beautiful expressed and felt.

[Island Hippy]

Many mahalo Dee, I appreciate your warmth

[Onlyme]

Hugs, Island Hippy.