I often find that when I read poetry, I am inspired to write poetry. Yesterday I read the poems in August 28, 2023 issue of the The New Yorker. I loved Major Jackson’s poem The Nature of Memory. In this poem, he describes a happy memory using the specific names of his children. His final line grabbed me: “I hope they love themselves loud as that day,/ light-drunk, kicking up sand. I opened my notebook and poured out the story of Sunday afternoon as I observed my grandchildren Leo (4.5) and Stella (2.5), and their friend Nils, side-by-side creating their own art under the watchful yet permissive eye of my daughter. Did I ever allow such free art in my own children? I hope so.
Love Themselves Loud
I watch the side-by-side
play of toddlers. Leo like a turtle
crouched on the table laser-focused
drawing a rocket heading to earth, a round
blue and green ball. Stella paints her hands
pressing layers of color into a star of hands.
She movesto her feet making them pink
like her beach shoes. Nils beside
her paints his hands and feet green–
his body a canvas for a green monster.Later they come together
in toddler madness jumping from the top bunk.
“Only jump onto the bean bag.”
No one is injured before the game changes
to Lego building and pizza.I hope they love themselves loud
Margaret Simon, draft
as this day painting a landscape,
making their mark.
Reflections on the Teche 
I also love that line you borrowed- ‘I hope they love themselves loud as this day.’ I can see the side by side play, the sitting on the table, the joyful using themselves as canvas. I see the sandal pink and the monster green. I see the focus of these very young ones in their art. What a wonderful small moment to capture.
Thanks for reading. Littles bring hope and joy!
“Love themselves loud”
The joy,
The artists,
The side by side work,
Under the gaze of the doting Grandmother!
Blessed life!
It is a blessed life. I am living moment to moment these days and the joy of grands helps.
I love this, Margaret—the concept and your poem. Will write one for my sweet granddaughter this morning, who seems to love herself loud so far…and yesterday turned the page of a book! : )
I found the narrative form worked well to tell this small moment. Send me your version.
Thought I sent…
Oh, Margaret. Thank you for sharing the poem of your inspiration. “love themselves loud as that day” is such a beautiful phrase in yours and Jackson’s poem. And “making their mark” is a perfect ending. I love that.
And I couldn’t help, after last Friday, of noticing the enjambment in “she moves” to the next stanza. It says something more about Stella.
Lovely poem!
Thanks for noticing. I enjoy putting together the puzzle of a poem and following where the form wants to go.
I hope they love themselves loud, too – these photos of them “making their mark” are so beautiful! How are they they possibly this big?? What a gentle nudge, too, to let the kids be free with their art. All of this is, to me, utter joy.
It happens overnight, but each day with them brings us joy. My husband commented that he was so relaxed just watching them all play (and not being responsible for any of it.)
I love your poem, but my eye was caught by this line, and it makes me love your daughter (and you): “under the watchful yet permissive eye of my daughter.” Of COURSE she learned from you to be the wonderful parent she is!!
I’m not so sure about that. I remember one Christmas when my sister gave them these things to make to stick onto a window. That plastic paint stained their Christmas dresses that I had made. I came unglued. Maggie says things like “It’s only clothes.” Different priorities for sure.
That was some draft, Margaret! If that were your first go at it, I’m confident the final version will be gorgeous. No doubt Leo and Stella will treasure it.
Thank you for sharing the link to Major Jackson’s poem. I saved it in my Evernote. Just gorgeous. My favorite lines were:
What is my life but a constant entering
into a dizzying churn of days
ping-ponging like numbered balls
in a glass air machine?
Goodness, that is the truth!
You are still in the ping-pong stage. It gets better. Having adult children and grandchildren is the best stage of life.
Margaret, I was just reading a notice from Peter Reynolds about Dot Day and children making their mark. Your two Little Grands are doing just that. I can see how focused they are on their projects. I love the line, “I hope they love themselves loud”,
I, too, want my kids and grandkids to love themselves above all else. Living with self-doubt is a burden I hope they don’t carry.