Not long ago, while cleaning out my writing files, I found a folder of poems written by elementary students. They were in my possession because I had been a judge of the children’s writing works. I sorted out what was the best of them and we reviewed them at a recent Beanery Writers Group meeting. Since I had no way of contacting the students of these poems, some of which I wanted to post, I had to dispose of them, and after the meeting very sorrowfully burned the papers. After reading some of them, Kathleen wrote the following poem, which ends with a question. Carolyn
To touch the heart, make us laugh
take us back…
An assignment given by an elementary teacher
showcased the talents of her class.
Given a variety of topics, ideas, poetic forms
the children’s freshly written creations took shape.
New ideas blossomed.
The poems were gathered, names withheld
the entries numbered to be judged.
Which ones were selected
we will never know
for time has obliterated them like snow.
The children have moved on
graduated, started jobs, raised families
taking their talent, uniqueness with them.
Years later
the teacher found these treasures
among a stack of forgotten papers.
She wanted to edit a collection of children’s poems,
but found it was impossible;
not a trace, not a clue, remained
only
Numbers not Names
One by one
the white sheets flutter
into the trash into the gutter
into the flames
Numbers not Names
Was there perhaps a future poet laureate
a Mattie J.T. Stepanek among them?
To read Kathleen’s poem about Mattie J. T. Stepanek, whose poems are collected in a book, Heartsongs, click on: TO MATTIE
For additional reading click on:
SEVENTY YEARS OF LOVE
PEOPLE: TIZIANIA BARONIO
THE HOLOCAUST STORY OF A TEENAGE VICTIM (Part 6)
YARD SALES UNSETTLE ME
PERTAINING TO THE SPIRIT
JOURNALIST ETHICS CONCERNING THE RECEIPT OF GIFTS
DAVID Part 1 of a 10 Part Romance Story
DAVID Part 2 of a 10 Part Romance Story
