Thank you again to Margaret, friend and host, all the poets growing this poem day by day and Irene who began it long ago. Where will our two go from here? Head to Mary Lee’s tomorrow (whom I happily get to see this coming weekend in Ohio!) I love the Poetry Friday community even when I am away. Inspiration, creativity, poetry and friendship stemming from our devotion to children and their growth. I recognize so many friends participating and am happy to be a part of this.
cradled in stars, our planet sleeps,
clinging to tender dreams of peace
sister moon watches from afar,
singing lunar lullabies of hope.almost dawn, I walk with others,
keeping close, my little brother.
hand in hand, we carry courage
escaping closer to the borderMy feet are lightning;
My heart is thunder.
Our pace draws us closer
to a new land of wonder.I bristle against rough brush—
poppies ahead brighten the browns.
Morning light won’t stay away—
hearts jump at every sound.I hum my own little song
like ripples in a stream
Humming Mami’s lullaby
reminds me I have her letterMy fingers linger on well-worn creases,
shielding an address, a name, a promise–
Sister Moon will find always us
surrounding us with beams of kindnessBut last night as we rested in the dusty field,
worries crept in about matters back home.
I huddled close to my brother. Tears revealed
the no-choice need to escape. I feel grown.Leaving all I’ve ever known
the tender, heavy, harsh of home.
On to maybes, on to dreams,
on to whispers we hope could be.But I don’t want to whisper! I squeeze Manu’s hand.
“¡Más cerca ahora!” Our feet pound the sand.
We race, we pant, we lean on each other
I open my canteen and drink gratefullyThirst is slaked, but I know we’ll need
more than water to achieve our dreams.
Nights pass slowly, but days call for speed
through the highs and the lows, we live with extremesWe enter a village the one from Mami’s letter,
We find the steeple; food, kindly people, and shelter.
Reflections on the Teche 
I am breathing a sigh of relief for both our characters and our poem. Safety and closure seem to be an outstretched hand away. Thank you for these beautiful and necessary lines, Janet!
In some respect they wrote themselves, I felt, Mary Lee. I got a picture then they words came and I crafted. Thank you for your words. See you soon!
Oh, this is like the best of news, Janet, I’m anxious for them and you’ve added more hope for the children. I love those specific pieces you’ve added, so needed.
Thank you, Linda. (Glad I am not the only one whose comments ” float” away at times!) As our poem develops it’s always intriguing to me to watch it unfold, but that makes it both memorable and fun.
Somehow, my comment disappeared. Thank you for giving us some very needed hope, Janet! I love the specific details you added, so needed.
Well, perhaps you deserve “two” today! I love watching the story unfold, too! Have a great day!
So glad for them! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Hope is a place with kind people – thank you for that hope, Janet.
I’m so glad they are getting some support, food, and shelter. I love that their mami is helping them from afar–and they are resourceful, using her help!
Thanks, Denise.
Thanks, Karin. My comment for Denise showed up under yours by some mystery to me. LOL. Thank you both for your words.
Janet, I like the details you added to the story. I like the steeple / people internal rhyme too.
Janet, I apologize for my very late catching-up with the ProgPo! I too am relieved for the young travellers, and I hope they can find lasting stability here, or somewhere close!
(I’m even later than Heidi!) Thank you for the cup of kindness for our weary young travelers, Janet. Looking forward to seeing what this village holds for them – temporary relief or a stay?
Janet, it has been a hectic time of year for me so I am backtracking to read the PP lines from you forward. You provided a resting place for the children with a familiar steeple, much-needed food, and people who are kind. I look forward to the next line. Perhaps this place is the children’s happy corner.