Last weekend was my birthday. I was blessed with a visit from all of my children and their children. Our time together was full of fun. Then school started in full force for me on Monday. There is no tired like the tired of the first week of school. So I didn’t have anything to offer for today’s post.
When I opened my email, I had a word-of-the-day from Merriam-Webster that included one of my favorite words to say, Tchotchke. Looking at my kitchen table where I am writing, I see a dish sent to me from my daughter’s mother-in-law. It touches me that in the midst of cancer treatments she had the thoughtfulness to send me a gift. It may just be a knickknack, but the deeper meaning is the love it was sent with.
I turned to the definito form created by my friend and fellow Inkling Heidi Mordhorst. A definito is a poem for children with 8-12 lines that defines a lesser known word. The word is given in the last line of the poem.
Simple Gift
For a birthday gently placed in a small bag tissue paper wrapping a glass dish– dappled, dainty, daisy– a little something to hold a little something decoration, knickknack, trinket simple reminder of a friend’s love...Tchotchke. Margaret Simon, draft
Lovely and completely appropriate description, Margaret—from someone who grew up with the objects and the word. They do tend to embody so much more than they may appear to.
Happy Birthday! I love that you used the word of the day which I just put in my word journal. The definito form fits well to describe the gift – a little something to hold a little something.
Love “a little something to hold a little something.” I thought of the sweet little tchotchkes I keep that hold other little things like stones I found by my favorite lake. I hope your first week of school goes well, Margaret, and thanks for taking the time to post.
It is those simple gifts that mean more than one ever knows when giving! I hope you sent the poem to her, a thankful gift back! Happy Birthday! I saw your pictures, a wonderful celebration!
Margaret, I have always loved the word you used for your PF piece. My Nonnie had a Tchotchke in every room in her house. I was lucky to inherit a few pieces. Thanks for sharing one of your gifts. Happy Belated Birthday! Your definito was just right.
Margaret Simon lives on the Bayou Teche in New Iberia, Louisiana. She teaches gifted elementary students, writes poetry and children's books. Welcome to a space of peace, poetry, and personal reflection. Walk in kindness.
Reflections on the Teche 
Way to work the Word of the Day! For. The. Win.
So sweet! I’m glad you brought us a tchotchke poem today. Hope you have a rejuvenating weekend!
Lovely and completely appropriate description, Margaret—from someone who grew up with the objects and the word. They do tend to embody so much more than they may appear to.
Happy Birthday! I love that you used the word of the day which I just put in my word journal. The definito form fits well to describe the gift – a little something to hold a little something.
Happy birthday, Margaret! The sweetness of it all — the gift, the visit, the exhaustion, the serendipity of the word-of-the-day — I love it.
Love “a little something to hold a little something.” I thought of the sweet little tchotchkes I keep that hold other little things like stones I found by my favorite lake. I hope your first week of school goes well, Margaret, and thanks for taking the time to post.
What a beautiful tribute to a heartfelt gift. I love this form. I’ll have to give it a try sometime …
It is those simple gifts that mean more than one ever knows when giving! I hope you sent the poem to her, a thankful gift back! Happy Birthday! I saw your pictures, a wonderful celebration!
Very fun and Happy Birthday! How sweet to receive a give for a little sweet treat.
awwwww, what a great word! And, what a neat way to poem about it.
Margaret, I have always loved the word you used for your PF piece. My Nonnie had a Tchotchke in every room in her house. I was lucky to inherit a few pieces. Thanks for sharing one of your gifts. Happy Belated Birthday! Your definito was just right.
Happy birthday! My birthday is always around Labor Day — just in time for the beginning of school tired to really settle in.
Does tchotchke have any root in “touch”? Your gift certainly did that on so many levels. Beautiful poem to complete the gesture!