Today’s Poetry Friday Round Up is here! I signed up for this date because it felt like a very important date, forgetting at the time that it is important because it’s my granddaughter’s birthday. Long before I had grandchildren, I read how Jacqueline Kennedy encouraged her children to write or choose a poem to give to her or their grandparents as a gift for each holiday or birthday. The poems were pasted in a special scrapbook that served to bring comfort to them in later years. I also heard from a writer friend of mine who told me about a tradition she started of writing a poem for each of her grandchildren on their birthdays. Both of those influences inspired me to start a similar tradition.
I try to personalize the poems by remembering something we shared throughout the year. During the summer Nina and her brother spent a few days alone with us. We took walks through the backyard and talked about what we saw, exploring nature and stretching our curiosity. So, Happy 3rd Birthday, Nina. This one’s for you.
Walk With Me
Take my hand and walk with me,
Let’s talk of birds and flowers—
Of bees that buzz,
Of bunny fuzz,
Of milkweed for the monarchs.
Take my hand and walk with me,
Let’s peek into the birdhouse—
Spy on spiders,
Unearth hiders,
Hold a firefly.
Take my hand and walk with me,
The world is filled with wonder—
With all things new,
Just for you,
Waiting to discover.
Draft, 2022Rose Cappelli
Please add your link by clicking on the Mister Linky button. I’ll be traveling over the weekend, but I hope to get to everyone’s link at some point. Thanks for visiting.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Rose, this poem is absolutely beautiful, the repetition especially and the images it creates of a little girl and birds, bunnies, spiders. What a wonderful tradition. I know Jaqueline Kennedy loved poems and I have a book of her favorites.
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Thanks, Janice.
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I love this tradition of writing poems for birthdays. Your poem for Nina is so sweet. My favorite parts: bunny fuzz, unearth hiders. Such a lovely way to mark your time together. She will always treasure these keepsake poems.
Thanks for hosting this week!
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Thanks, Jama.
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Jama, please check your link. It wasn’t working for me.
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Sorry, forgot to mention last night that I usually pre-schedule my PF posts, which go live at 6 a.m. Friday mornings.
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What a lucky, lucky little girl Nina and also her brother are. I love this! I just might need to borrow this idea for my family. I’m in this week with what’s becoming an annual reflection on Constitution Day. And, the prompts from Ethical ELA this past week sparked a couple of new poems too! Thanks for hosting this week, Rose.
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This is a beautiful idea, Rose. I am tucking it away for future grandchildren! Thank you. Your poem is marvelous to read aloud. In addition to such rich imagery, your rhythm and line length is just super, and you’ve captured fabulous near rhymes, something I long to get good at. Happy birthday to your sweet, exploring granddaughter. She is lucky indeed. xo
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Thanks so much, Amy!
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Ah what a special poem for your granddaughter Rose, I love your closing lines,
“With all things new,
Just for you,
Waiting to discover.”
Such lovely rhythm! Wishing her a very Happy Birthday–and thanks for hosting!
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Rose, what a beautiful idea! I love your poem for Nina. It’s so sweet; what a treasure trove you are creating for her. Love Jacqueline Kennedy’s idea, too. It’s never too late to start, right? I can ask my grown daughters to offer me poems instead of gifts on my birthday. Treasures there, too. Thanks for hosting this week!
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Thanks for reading, Karen.
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Birds, milkweed, fireflies – living in the country, I’m so grateful I get to share all these images and memories with my own kids! Wonderful poem, Rose. And thanks for hosting!
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Thanks, Matt.
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Walking out is a most special thing, for you and for Nina and her brother. It’s a poem filled with heart, Rose! Thanks for hosting!
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Thanks so much, Linda.
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What a wonderful tradition – I might just have to borrow, as well! Happy Birthday to Nina, who is sure to treasure this poem for years to come. Safe travels!
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Thanks, Robyn.
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Your post prompts possibilities Rose. Some special ways to mark events and celebrations. Your poem bubbles with the potential emerging from exploration of the natural world and the nurturing of curiosity. As a grandparent of a three year old myself, I readily identify with world you portray. Walking out with curious intent is such a joyful thing to do. Thanks for hosting in this thought provoking way.
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Thanks, Alan.
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Rose, I love this! What a great gift. And also, you should write a book about Jackie Kennedy with the angle of her love of poetry.
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Ohhh, thanks. Maybe something to think about.
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Hi Rose! Like Jama, I especially love bunny fuzz and unearth hiders. Birthday poetry is a great tradition, as is going for walks! Thanks for hosting.
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Rose, I love your poem and the idea of writing a poem each year to your grandchildren. I have some catching up to do if I choose to do this, but we are in the season of birthdays. Beginning in September, my grandchildren have birthdays turning 4, 3, and 2. Your poem is an inspiration. Thanks for hosting.
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Rose, this is such a beautiful tradition! And oh beautiful Nina…may you enjoy unearthing those hiders today! Thank you for your poem and for hosting.
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Rose, your tradition is a beautiful one. I also try to write poems for my little grandgirls. I love the way you crafted your poem as a
Memory keepsake. Thanks for the back matter info on traditions. Being a grandma is a special role.
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Oh Rose, I love this idea! I will adopt it immediately (our Grayson is but 7 weeks old today). And Happy Birthday, Nina! Your poem transports me to those walking moments and the quiet oohs and ahhs that burble up. Thank you!
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I thought you’d like that idea!
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So much love in so few words! Just beautiful. And your grandchild will appreciate these poems more and more as they get older. Thanks for hosting.:)
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Wow, Rose! This is a beautiful poem! What a gift you have given your grandchild! I do not have grandchildren yet, although I am of age (58). I think this is a wonderful tradition you’ve started. Thank you for hosting!
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This is so beautiful! I especially love that second stanza. I admire your bravery on writing poems for your loved ones–I can rarely muster the courage. Thanks for hosting!
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