Leo, my 2 year old grandson, likes to scroll through my photo library. Mostly he wants to watch videos. Janet Fagel, a fellow poet grandmother, posted a picture on Facebook that I downloaded to use today. When Leo scrolled by this photo, he wanted to “play” it. I had to explain that it wasn’t a video. Beyond the idea that we are raising a new generation, a group of littles who know how to tap a screen and make it do things, I was fascinated by his fascination with this image. What did his little eyes see?
Later as we were walking in the garden, he tried to put a flower behind his ear. I placed it there for him and set the phone to selfie so he could see what he looked like. Phone as mirror.
When I wear my unicorn dress,
Margaret Simon, with a nod to Cinderella, my favorite childhood movie
and a dandelion for a hairbow,
I can be whatever I want to be.
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Reflections on the Teche 
What a sweet, sweet photo. I can imagine Leo with your photos. I’m waxing sentimental today. My kids have grown up so fast. I miss those playground days.
A unicorn dress! That’s what I need. How fun.
One blue dress
+ One yellow flower
_________________
green playground magic
grandmother love by the hour
Yes! An equation poem is just right!
Your poem touches my heart!! And your explanation of Leo and the phone…they really notice everything. When this little one was younger she wanted to “scrape” my phone with her finger. Which meant, swipe, so she could go through photos. Now at 5 she knows how to use the remote and go to the Roku to find the services they have, then the shows they are allowed to view. Not to mention some Zoom experience (though blessedly not a lot.) Screen time is kept to a minimum and they spend oodles of time outdoors in all kinds of weather. And yes, like Cinderella with her unicorn dress and hairbow, this one can be anyone she chooses!! For a long while when she was turning 3 she would instantly correct you if you did not call her Clara (from the Nutcracker!), “No, I Clara.” They bring joy and if we pay attention, great insight.
What a lovely equation poem! Yes…love by the hour for sure!! I just want to bottle this time so it never ends.
Linda, grandmother love is a strong one. You captured that through colored thoughts.
Wonderful poem – that yellow flower says it all.
Oh, playground magic! Perfect line.
Magical and fun poem Linda, and an equation fits so well!
I love the mathematical formula you created here, Linda.
And “green playground magic / grandmother love…” are a delicious sum!
Linda, great equation poem with rhythm and rhyme. “Grandmother love by the hour” is perfect. Love it.
Linda, I love how you used the principles of color along with emotions in here. SO sweet!
Childhood’s Blessing*
Simple pleasures, simple treasures
dandelion slipped into your hair.
Quiet joy, a wistful stare…
your imagination
brings you everywhere.
*To be able to watch them grow, to see how their little minds absorb and create constantly, how they are active and determined…..makes me want so much more for all children everywhere. I feel in our rush to educate we sometimes forget what the young child does so naturally. And those now “stuck” in city apartments due to Covid…my heart aches for those who have not been outside in so long. Or who are not in safe neighborhoods. We only get one childhood.
So lovely, Janet! I wonder where her imagination will take her today?
Yes, a good imagination is the best gift!
I love the rhythm of this poem. Childhood imaginations are the best.
“Quiet joy, a wistful stare” characterizes your granddaughter specifically and grandchildren generally. Thanks for sparking our must today with this precious photo.
Margaret,
So glad you noticed it could be a poem. Yes….children are treasure to me and to those who love them and we all should. Thank you for this gift because when I share it with her I am sure she will be thrilled.
Lovey Janet–and that “dandelion slipped into” her hair, will fill and carry her imagination…
Thank you, Michelle. When I watch her “creating” a story and talking to herself or singing to herself, when she is dancing to music only she can hear, it is pure joy. And she tells me she is a poetry expert, fyi. I write about it on my fb page. I will check to see if we are friends.
Janet Clare F.
Janet, the rhyming in your poem is so effective here. It is fun to read aloud. Your sweet comments about your granddaughter here in the comments, inspired my limerick today.
Janet, a beautiful tribute to little girls. I love your rhyme and rhythm. Your poem brings back memories of my daughters. You nailed it nature, “quiet joy,” and “imagination brings you everywhere.”
Janet, I love all the extra tidbits about your adorable granddaughter! Thank you.
My grandson does the same thing with the pics on my phone! It’s amazing how quickly they learn. I was struck by the colors in this photo and the curiosity it encourages.
Nature’s pinks and greens and blues
Announce, “It’s Spring!”
But that yellow flower in your hair?
That yellow flower
says it all.
It really does say it all!
I was also struck by the colors in this photo. And yes, it says it all! Love that last line.
The yellow flower does say it all!
Nature surely knows how to decorate spring, Rose. You noticed the colors in the photo more than I.
Rose, the colors in the photo are so striking, and you have gone to the heart of the joy with your emphasis on that sweet dandelion in her hair.
Rose, I loved the colors of the photo, also. I love how you added “nature’s” before the colors. I like the effect of your question and your perfect answer.
Thanks, Rose and yes, the “dandy-lion” (referring here to my asking you about your use of it on another blog in April) is so vibrant and looks lovely. She said, “grandma can you put it in my hair please? Our teacher does this for us at school.” Isn’t that the best? I love your take on the poem! (And wish I had the abandon and ease with technology that the young ones do!!)
Bright dandelion
(Definitely not a weed)
Finishes her look
Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Yes, that dandelion is the perfect accessory!
The fashion statement of a child…
Oh haute couture of the playground and just in time for spring–a tried and true trend!
Dandelions are such a versatile bud. I like the twist you added to your poem-a positivity on dandelions, Ruth.
Ruth, yes, “definitely not a weed” is my favorite line. Sweet!
Yes, to “finishes her look.” Perfect.
What a lovely photo! Reminds me of the days when my children were little.
Yes, she can be whatever she wants to be!
I was struck by the colors in the photo, so that is where I went with this.
cornflower blue
dandelion yellow
magnolia pink
spring’s color pallette
Love all the colors!
Lovely painted poem Leigh Anne!
Yes, spring is a glorious time and I am so happy I can drive south to be with my grandkids and get to experience it a second time when we, who are behind, see the blossoming later. When she brought me her dandelion the vibrant yellow was like the sun sparkling!!! Thanks, Leigh Anne.
Yes, the colors! Spring’s beauty indeed! Nice, Leigh Anne.
Leigh Anne, I love how you worded the flowers before the colors. Beautiful poem. I kept trying to think of the color of her dress. Thank you.
Thanks Margaret and Janet for this lovely pic, and Margaret for your wonder-filled poem waiting to unfold!
dandelion hopes
hug me and unicorn,
sparkle rays abound…
Oh, to be a child and her unicorn hugged by dandelion hopes. What amazing word choice here, Michelle! So beautiful!
Michele, such a sweet poem. I love that “dandelion hopes/hug me and unicorn” keep repeating in my mind.
Ruth, I love how she is allowed to grow as she finds her way. She likes dresses but is a hiker and a nature lover, too. I think we sometimes forget the lessons we learn from our own kids because we are often so busy. This is a grandparent’s blessing.
Wistfully looking to nature
Wondering, pomdering
Her next move.
CV
My quick thoughts, Janet.
I just love your granddaughter’s looks.
Carol, I love that you captured her wistful look into the yard. I was struck too with what she was wondering and pondering in that moment!
Carol,I love “wistfully looking to nature.” I also wondered what she was looking at, or if she was posing her dandelion ponytail for the photo.
Gail, she was watching her little brother and my husband in the middle of the yard! And climbed onto the ladder. THEN in a minute I asked her to pose, but this was a much better capture!
I bet your granddaughters are doing the same in their own way. She loves that wondering and pondering. So much fun. Thanks for all your comments here. I am so pleased by everyone’s efforts and happy Margaret asked to use the photo.
Carol you beautifully caught her fleeting moment of “Wondering, pondering,” lovely!
Margaret, there’s unicorn power in your short poem…
There once was a girl full of dreams
Creating play magic, she beams
Colors everywhere
Her actions declare
The joy of keen-eyed extremes
Denise, I love your rhyme. My favorite image is “she beams colors everywhere.
Oh, you have captured her (and I am sure many other kids) in this delightful limerick, Denise. “Creating play magic, she beams” which is true, and goes beautifully with this photo. What I love about her are her extremes and her varied interests and enthusiasm. Thanks for your kind words about my poem.
Oh, what fun a whimsical limerick, and it fits the mood of this pic perfectly!
Margaret, you chose a sweet moment of Janet’s granddaughter. Leo’s fascination with the image and how he wanted his own flower is adorable. “I can be whatever I want to be” is the perfect ending for your poem. This photo begs to be a poem. In fact, I wrote four poems but I think this one is the best. But that could change because I still have two more poem ideas. Thank you for sharing.
dandelions adorn her hair
sparkling as she flutters
with blue butterflies
like a forest fairy
Gail Aldous
Gail,
Beautiful image “flutters / with blue butterflies / like a forest fairy” I like the alliteration here too.
Thank you, Denise.
Thanks, Gail. Flutters and forest fairy are perfect descriptions. She can be many things but those two are definitely so her. I love your poem. I want to see your other poems so be in touch if you want to share. PS My cell phone’s primary use is to take videos and photos of her (and her sweet little brother)! I think I was made to be a grandmother and am so blessed to have this time. Glad you enjoyed my little extras! (Though her mother was not thrilled for about a year when, even if we addressed her as say, “honey, come blah blah blah” her instantaneous response was, “I, Clara”…..However at a month shy of 3 she sat mesmerized by the ballet of The Nutcracker and loved it. Though I probably loved it more, just sayin’. Oh how I want all children to be as blessed in life in whatever way suits their situation and dreams……
Janet, I’m so glad you liked my poem! I can undrstand her beig mesmerized by the Nut Cracker ballet. I love watching ballets. Thank you for the invitation to share poems. I appreciate it. You are sweet. I will email you.