Anna goes to see the Affrilachian Poets

the words in quotation belong to Mr. Norman Jordan. I hope someday this grows up and becomes something.

The mighty poet

stood tall at the front of the room

grinning a little to himself.

He remembers some of his poems--

doesn't need a paper copy to share them here.

"Kuumba" is the title.

And somehow with his words

 a tree grew before our eyes.

Branches spread reaching to the sky

until there was a forest.

And there was rain

to quench our creative thirst.

We listened intently

as he spoke

"Life is"

and we leaned a little closer

spellbound

"creative force"

senses tingled with anticipation.

Birds lit on branches

and cocked their heads

to better hear the words

"in motion"

and everyone was still--

breathless

and he leaned in closer

and that one last word

"MOVE!!!"

shattered walls.

Anna took the wise man

at his very word.

Jumped straight up

from her perch on my lap.

The good man apologized

for frightening the child.

Maybe little girls

need to learn

that a word is a living thing

with the power

to make us move.

Author's Note

he said, "
Putting aside my bloated ego.
Emily, your beautifully crafted poem
definitely keeps the spirit of
the daily write alive!
Now, you have me itching
to scratch on paper.

Please say hello to Sarah and Anna
for me.

Norman"

Reviews

[Collect-Eye]

wow..this is so beautiful I almost cried Emily..IDK what to say either

I teared up..this is absolutely powerful and sincere and incredible

I'm in awe of your words right now..I'm not just flattering you..
you know I don't do that..

you really captured and expressed a child's wonder and imagination here

you are great for taking her there and for expressing this..

I absolutely know they will love this..yes!

[arbitrary jane]

makes me wish i had been there. although, thanks to you, i kind of was.

[An Ordinary Woman]

This is an awesome write Emily. I'm so glad you carry your poetic pen wherever you go. And kudos for sharing your love of the written word with your babies. But I knew you would. :)

[theludus]

Emily, I think that since it's taken from such a personal and moving experience then there's really not much to be gained from suggesting a tweak of two here, those little details would most likely alter this too much. Besides which, I liked it. You mapped out the structure nicely and it's one of those writes where the reader just knows they missed out on something special. There's a nice achievement in that.

[Sel Whiteley]

Wow, I can't believe my luck. I've found a poem of yours I haven't read that is always gold dust. This is powerful, such wonder, emotion, flow and your characterisation of the man and child so compelling. Incredible.

[Leap]

Very well written. I love the last 5 lines.

[Sara Muschweck]

This was such a moving poem, hearing another read his work outloud always brings chills and you were able to write with such description and art that it felt as if I were there myself. A wonderful write.

[JohnL]

Yes, I know this is technically interesting - a poem within a poem - mini Midsummer Night's Dream etc., but I'll put all that aside and cut to the quick. What came to me was the stature of the two poets. The performer, who held the listeners in the palm of his hand, the power of his (reported) description as the tree grew and the birds flew. The magnetism of his words, drawing people in and the power of his declamatory "MOVE!!!", with its shock effect. The perch/lap metaphor. Then the wonderful humility of the man's apology. Then the stature of our own poet, Emily who wove it all so subtly ans seamlessly together to culminate in the gently suggested moral - little girls and the word - all of us in fact. Ah the word - the living word. Beautiful, meaningful and sensitive poem. Yes!

[C. Harter Amos]

Your poem is alive with your beautiful use of words. It was easy to "see" the people in the room leaning forward, breathless, listening to Norman Jordan. I love the assumption that maybe Anna could learn the power of words from the experience. Well done, Emily. And such a note from Norman Jordan!

[Tomás Ó C..]

Great message here, Emily.

[Hedra Helix]

yes! beautiful, I love when forests grow from words. Visual like a little movie, like slipping inside your memories;)

thank you for sharing that second when she jumps with us.
the preciousness of it.