DISTRACTIONS
Well.
Here I am.
Left behind
yet again.
I turned to watch the shadow of a cloud
pass over the riverbank
and when I turned back
the breadcrumbs had already been tossed.
Yesterday, I was noticing
the way a seed
swirled in the current
and suddenly my siblings were nowhere to be seen.
Look,
There's an ant
climbing the crest
of that bending blade of grass.
© Mary Lee Hahn, 2012
Katya has today's Poetry Friday roundup at Write. Sketch. Repeat.
I love this. It is just about as perfect as they come! This little guy is totally like three or four kids in my class! And how I'm feeling right now-- every time I look away for a second, everyone else is zooming away or ahead! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know little ducklings are as distractible as little boys. Thank you for sharing this poem.
ReplyDeleteYes! What a true poem. And I love this guy...and you...and everyone this poem describes. a.
ReplyDeleteHow delightful, Mary Lee! Thanks for sharing. We wrote mask poems up at the poetry workshop in Honesdale this week. (I even wrote a short little poem later about a blade of grass,too!) LOVE this voice, and the way you ended it in the midst of another wondrous diversion.
ReplyDeleteI like your poem.
ReplyDeletePoetry becomes an interesting view point when you are the duck, or a cloud etc.
This gave me some good ideas. Thanks for sharing.
One of my favorite quotes of all time comes from Frank McCourt, when he spoke to a group of us in Birmingham. He said, "there's something sweet about digression." I sure do like the way your little duck is not left behind at all, just onto sweeter things. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet poem. Love the little guy's voice. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great mentor poem for us to use when talking about voice with young writers. I love the little guy and the value of finding wonder in the world, no matter who you are! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnd now I know what it's like to be a duckling. Thank you for taking us inside that little head of his (or is it hers, or is it yours), Mary Lee. -Ed
ReplyDeleteI want to hug those ducks!
ReplyDeleteI posted lyrics from Glow by Katy Rose at Bildungsroman.
Happy Friday, everyone!
I was thinking about what to say, when I read of Frank McCourt's quote in Irene's comment above - and that is exactly true. This poem brings to mind so many of my kiddos...especially at this time of year!
ReplyDeleteWhat sweet distraction.
ReplyDeleteThe ducks are so cute. And your poem so true as an adult I'm like that some days.
ReplyDeleteAlternate title: If Jim Was a Duck
ReplyDeleteI totally relate. That duck is a poet caught up in the natural beauty of his world.
This is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteObviously many love to see those ducks & they are so cute, but your poem is terrific, Mary Lee, especially that final part, off & running again. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI relate very well to this distracted duck. I don't mean that I feel left behind though, sometimes I feel like others really miss out on what is around them. That little duck is noticing a lot. Thanks for the great pic, I LOVE ducklings!!
ReplyDeleteI love your dawdling duckling! And I'm glad she's not forsaking her ways.
ReplyDeleteLike others, I can relate, as I seem to be constantly = two days behind in this juiced-up socially networked world.
violet
Cute! I saw some goslings this spring along with 2 sets of ducklings. My visit to the pond inspired me to write too!
ReplyDeleteSomeways I feel like this guy. You capture distractions perfectly.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post at All About the Books with Janet Squires. I recently ordered a copy of Eureka through Follett Library Resouces and it is also available through Amazon.
I think I am one of those little goslings. Always caught off guard by what the crowd has discovered without me!
ReplyDelete