I follow the Ethical ELA website that is beautifully led by Sarah Donovan. Each month she posts a 5 day Open Write which is a series of writing prompts hosted by teachers of writing. This month’s host was Kim Johnson. Kim drew mentor texts from great writers such as Jason Reynolds and Jericho Brown. I was drawn to a prompt from Jason Reynolds’ book Long Way Down, “The Way I Felt.”
It amazes me how a single prompt can turn out so many different individual responses. Go to the link to read the many touching responses. I am honored to be among them.
The Ultrasound
The way I felt
when you showed me
the ultrasound.Never knew love like this.
I held the tiny image
in the palm of my handcried
feeling a new world
opening. I planted.
I grew a fertile seed
now planted
in you.Fingers, toes,
Margaret Simon, draft
a nose!
Small person
coming to be
my grandchild.
My student Breighlynn in 4th grade was featured this week on Today’s Little Ditty. She took the ditty challenge to write a poem of presence. The Twitter hashtag continues. It’s not too late to jump in the fun!
Reflections on the Teche 
“A new world opening” — a powerful feeling indeed! That is one adorable ultrasound. What a cutie!
“Feeling a new world/opening” I love that line and the love that pulses through this poem. I wrote to that prompt as well–it was a good one!
Thanks for sharing Jason Reynolds’ prompt and poem—your poem and his bring you right there into the emotional moment, and create a powerful connectedness. I like the immediacy of his prompts opening line too, thanks Margaret.
Beautiful, Margaret. Sometimes these moments sneak up on us in expected ways, and that’s exactly what you’ve managed to capture in your poem—the sense of awe mixed with humility that took you by surprise. I also spent a good long time perusing all of the other responses at the Ethical ELA site. I will definitely have to spend more time on that blog!
A breathtaking poem, Margaret. I can only imagine the joy of expecting a grandchild. Oh, it’s such an excitement even for me to know friends are expecting a new generation. I couldn’t agree more about the prompts at Ethical ELA. I love them and look forward to them each month.
Aww, so sweet! Thank you for this! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Aw, see that tiny nose! That’s a poem to keep for him!
What a precious little button nose, and milestone moment captured. Lovely, Margaret.
Fingers, toes, a nose! Your little seed poem conveys full-hearted joy and amazement. I couldn’t keep up with the flood of Ethical ELA stuff. I lasted ONE day!
What joy in your poem. The ultrasound gives a glimpse that is unthinkable not so long ago. Thanks for passing along the ELA prompt, Margaret. It was an interesting one.
These words in your Ultrasound poem touch my heart, Margaret. What a beautiful way to honor birth.
“feeling a new world
opening. I planted.
I grew a fertile seed
now planted
in you.”
I remember the joy I felt when seeing my two granddaughters’ ultrasound images.
What a moment of love captured in the ultrasound and in your poem!
Oh, Margaret. This needs to go in the baby book! This poem had me tearing up in its unbounded love!
Your poem has captured all the ‘feels’ of the “small person” who hasn’t quite arrived yet but whose presence has already captured your heart. Thank you for sharing the joy. : )
I have had those grandmotherly feelings also… and oh, the depth of it! The tears! The lumps in the throat! Your poem describes it beautifully. Thank you, and best wishes for the day.