Anna goes to see the Affrilachian Poets

the words in quotation belong to Mr. Norman Jordan. I hope someday this grows up and becomes something.

The mighty poet

stood tall at the front of the room

grinning a little to himself.

He remembers some of his poems--

doesn't need a paper copy to share them here.

"Kuumba" is the title.

And somehow with his words

 a tree grew before our eyes.

Branches spread reaching to the sky

until there was a forest.

And there was rain

to quench our creative thirst.

We listened intently

as he spoke

"Life is"

and we leaned a little closer

spellbound

"creative force"

senses tingled with anticipation.

Birds lit on branches

and cocked their heads

to better hear the words

"in motion"

and everyone was still--

breathless

and he leaned in closer

and that one last word

"MOVE!!!"

shattered walls.

Anna took the wise man

at his very word.

Jumped straight up

from her perch on my lap.

The good man apologized

for frightening the child.

Maybe little girls

need to learn

that a word is a living thing

with the power

to make us move.

Author's Note

he said, "
Putting aside my bloated ego.
Emily, your beautifully crafted poem
definitely keeps the spirit of
the daily write alive!
Now, you have me itching
to scratch on paper.

Please say hello to Sarah and Anna
for me.

Norman"

Reviews

[Collect-Eye]

wow..this is so beautiful I almost cried Emily..IDK what to say either

I teared up..this is absolutely powerful and sincere and incredible

I'm in awe of your words right now..I'm not just flattering you..
you know I don't do that..

you really captured and expressed a child's wonder and imagination here

you are great for taking her there and for expressing this..

I absolutely know they will love this..yes!

[Jasmine]

You've created a god-like, jesuit existence in your storyteller character. "Life is", powerful words for your creator. The poem is a edenic, biblical adaptation of what it is to write and listen to poetry.
Veyr interesting...

[Leslie Philibert]

A really fantastic poem,like all of Emily`s work thoughtful and clever,full of good observations coupled with glances at really important questions like the nature of poetry.You have exactly captured the moment (I`m probably explaining this very badly!)when lots of things happen at once and produce great wisdom about the human condition.Really good.

[Ken Simm.]

The word is a living thing. something you have more than shown here. I think this is amongst your best. It is a beautiful capture.

[emmajoy]

Only a few very special people can create the feeling I have at the moment - you've somehow - almost miraculously, expressed what is to see - and see clearly. When my heart stops thumping like crazy and my tears stop, I'll read this again .. you've touched the very spirit of what poetry is, Emily ..

'Maybe little girls ~ need to learn ~ that a word is a living thing ~ with the power ~ to make us move.'

[Kerry O'Connor]

I can't tell you how much I love this poem - for it's brilliant pace and build up of expectation. its imagery of the birds in the trees and the significance of your final lines... But more so because it's a poem about poetry: that mighty unseen power which reaches out from one man and touches the life of a woman on the other side of the globe. It's the only thing that convinces me man is greater than the animals. Thank you for sharing this moment.

[E.Gleaves]

I love it. a perfect example of taking a life experience and turning it into poetry. You captured the power of the poet's word and succeeded in teaching us readers a life lesson. great stuff

[Robin]

a truly special piece of writing ..

[Alicante lullaby]

wow...this was breathtaking...
philosophical...

[Siddhartha]

What a journey it has been Emily. A ride as much on the wings of imagination as on the back of my soul.