Papa
It seems like just yesterday
my little girl was in ruffles and a bonnet,
then serious-faced with that long, long hair.
Our Lizzy was the observer.
She worshipped Lewis,
kept Jack out of more than his share
of trouble. She watched over Henry
like a mother hen.
She could beat me at checkers, fair and square.
Now I've given her away.
My little girl.
Take care of her, young man. Take good care.
©Mary Lee Hahn, 2016
I'm going to miss this family I've invented from random photographs and scraps of my own family's history. I plan to work on giving them a more proper storyline. Or perhaps I'll just collect them into an e-book. Time will tell. It always does, it seems.
Buffy has the Poetry Friday roundup at Buffy's Blog.
Perfect! We're going to miss them, too! Looking forward to finding out what you have in store for them.
ReplyDeleteThis has been a fun family to follow! I can see how this is going to be hard to drop!
ReplyDeletePapa really knew his little girl!
Such a fun project. :)
ReplyDeleteGiving them a longer storyline is a great idea, Mary Lee! If you liked spending time with them, why not keep going?
ReplyDeleteAnd we will too, Mary Lee. (Miss them.) A beaut project for your Poetry Month. Well done.
ReplyDeleteSweet ending to a great month of poems. Have really enjoyed all your photos and poems. Hope you continue to work on this project.
ReplyDeleteYou've brought your cast of characters to life this month--well done, Mary Lee!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable photo. The weight of the world is on that girl's shoulders.
ReplyDeleteOh that last stanza just gets me. You really have brought your characters to life. I agree with Buffy.
ReplyDeleteA book of these poems will be very special, Mary Lee. This, in a father's voice, is very telling in the few words. I love it.
ReplyDeleteYour poem really touched my heart. I have done poetry writing about old family poems, and you are inspiring me to do more.
ReplyDeleteI am going to miss these poems, too, Mary Lee. I am sharing them with my sixth graders next week for a writing project we are set to launch. You are a marvel.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet reflection of a loving relationship. Frankly, though, I don't think your verse novel momentum is going to let you stop spending time with this family quite yet. That's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed this, Mary Lee! You must do something with this set. Let us know when you do!
ReplyDeleteSo much love for this amazing project xoxoxo
ReplyDelete