National Poetry Month

by Jane Elsdon

April was full of applause for poetry as we celebrated National Poetry Month in our county's libraries. At the Atascadero Library I was privileged to share some of my own children's poetry with a group of three-year-olds through third graders eager for the Story Hour.

We had a great time brainstorming about one of our favorite local places, Atascadero Lake. In no time we came up with a poem composed entirely of the children's own lines. Here it is for your enjoyment. If you don't believe poetry lives in little people's heads and hearts, read it at least twice. Then ask yourself again.

May brings Mother's Day, memories galore, and inevitably, nostalgia. Riffling through my poems with such days in mind usually contributes to the latter. Nothing begs for its place in a poem anymore than the unexpected, whether it is an unforeseen accident that turns out well — or not — or an unexpected act of love.

Free-Fall You weren't so sure about crawling into my arms again after that terrible dizzied fall we took on the hearth, even though I twisted so I would meet the hearth first, when I knew I couldn't prevent falling without dropping you. I've sung an almost non-stop song of gratitude to the Cosmos ever since. I couldn't have lived with the consequences had you been hurt. I celebrate the broken rib and the bent one because they mean you were spared and I adore you. And what a joyous mood you arrived in today, calling Hi, hi, with the grin on your face expressed in your voice. Little copper-capped elf, we played ball to your delight built swaying primary-colored towers that evoked an innocent oh-oh when they fell clattering at your feet. Counting games garnered your applause for a time. Then you pulled your little chair up close to mine, stood upon it with a smile big as a runner's mile, reeling for a moment before you fell into my lap in a fit of irrepressible laughter. Then again and again you clamored up into the chair and free-fell into my arms Oh, how I celebrate the return of your total trust.

Mother's Day Eve After a mysterious absence you returned with festive bags of intrigue tucking them away in obscure corners. Later you waited in the car for me. Anticipating our time together before I bend to join you my glance catches on the front planter with its carnival of color. I look back once and then again, mystified. A lush spread of purple and yellow Johnny-Jump-Ups new to the planter called my name. Where did they come from I asked, bewildered, wondering. I bought them for you this afternoon you admitted. They were so beautiful. Checking again to insure my eyes did not deceive me, I slid into the passenger seat. Marinating in the amazement of the marvel that you embody. Only two days before I had looked at that very spot and visualized it filled with Johnny-Jump-Ups, but I hadn't mentioned it to you. Forever telescoped into a moment we gazed into each other's eyes. After almost 49 years together we're so close, yet still they come, these constant fresh surprises.

Atascadero Lake, A Special Lake We love the lake. It’s a special lake. We can hike around the lake; It’s peaceful. It’s cold in the water. We find fish in the lake. We feed the ducks and sometimes The coots fight over the bread. Ducks and geese and a swan, Butterflies and flowers and frogs, Turtles on the rocks, dragonflies And sometimes there are rainbows. It’s a beautiful lake!                              ~A poem by Atascadero Library’s Story Time Group:                                       Zander, Maggie, Addy, Julia, Kali May, Sloane, Skye,                                       Bryce, Lily, Masha, Joshua, Nikolai, Lily, David, Jacob,                                       Blake Reed Photo "A Special Lake" by Gene Elsdon

Butterfly Banner Image by David Farris