Children of the World,
who breathe perfumed air in
rose gardens, spice-filled kitchens,
orange groves and city streets…
Children of the World,
who hear bells toll, sirens wail,
fairies laugh, leaves whisper secrets
to the wind and bombs fall…
Children of the World,
who see dogs chasing squirrels,
paintbox sunsets and
who see their mother’s love shine…
Children of the World,
who touch the silk of lilies,
take peas from the pod,
who cry the salt that fills oceans…
Children of the World,
who taste pomegranate from the tree,
savor Chilaquiles and cabbage rolls,
who know the bitter-sweet delight of chocolate…
I dedicate my years to you.
For you, I write my poems.
Copyright 2017 Brenda Davis Harsham
Notes: This week I was inspired by Naomi Shihab Nye‘s book of poems and art from Middle Eastern creators. In particular this poem:
All the children of the world,
in all my abodes
you are the roses in my courtyard,
the green and the fresh,
the sun and the stars,
you are the beautiful hands,
the ones who raise the flag of childhood high.
I give my life to you.
To you I write my poems.
— by Mohammed Shehadeh, Translated by Aziz Shihab, from Letters to Childhood and found within The Space Between Our Footsteps: Poems and Paintings from the Middle East, selected by Naomi Shihab Nye, and introduced the poem with these words: “In the spirit of the children at the Cairo library who said, during the worst sandstorm of the twentieth century, ‘just keep reading!'”
Happy Poetry Friday and thanks to Penny Parker Klostermann for hosting! Also, thanks for the poetry postcards. I posted my thanks here.
It’s beautiful and I understand the inspiration, my little one inspires me.
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Kids are endlessly inspiring. 🙂
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They truly are, I just wish we kept their best qualities as adults
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Yes, it’s hard to hang onto wonder and joy. It’s worth trying, though.
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It’s why every chance I get I play whatever funny game my little one asks to play even if it’s in the middle of town. I wish I had their energy too!
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Wow! Beautiful, Brenda!
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Thanks! Might be a good one to use for your kids month if you have art for it.
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Okay… Good idea. I will look at what I have to go with it. 😀
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And the children of the world thank you, Brenda! (As do those of us a little beyond our childhoods.)
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Thanks, Bridget!
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Wow, Brenda. I love love love this.
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Thanks, Sally. 😀
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Both you and Sally used mentor texts to make gorgeous new poems!
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Thanks, Mary Lee. Sally rocks!
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Wow! I’m late to this party….but so glad I stopped by. What love, what understanding, what gifts your poem holds. Gorgeous words. I am full.
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Thanks for stopping by, Linda. I am chubby with delight at your words. 🙂
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this is indeed such beautiful and sentimental for each family and values…
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Thanks, Mihran!
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Such a phenomenal masterpiece. 🌹🌹🌹
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Thanks, Dorna! You spread such love!
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I try. (@–>–)
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Love your poem and Naomi’s too! Yes indeed, CHILDREN!
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Yes! Yay for CHILDREN!
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Lovely words inspired by other lovely words, and all so timely. Thank you for sharing, Brenda.
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Thanks, Robyn.
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Absolutely beautiful, touching, inspiring. Have a beautiful weekend, Brenda. Loved the poem.
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Thanks, Selina. You have a beautiful weekend, too. Loved your Aloha, Sweet Things post. XOXO
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
YAY, YAY, YAY…! THE MASTER (MISTRESS-?) HAS RETURNED!!!! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ 😀 😀 😀
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I thought about the kids, as I always do. 🙂
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Hey Mom, you are indeed the greatest!
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LOL As if. 🙂
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You are just exceptional! Lovely and timely!
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Thanks, MarDrag!
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What a wonderful response, Brenda.
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Thanks, Kat!
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I really believe that this would be a beautiful picture book, Brenda. Each part is a treasured detail of our world, like “savor Chilaquiles and cabbage rolls,”. And I love “just keep reading”.
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Thanks, Linda. How nice of you to say. Isn’t that a wonderful line, about the kids of Egypt? Such good advice. Just keep reading.
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Brenda, I hope your own child loves the words you wrote as much as I do. These lines touched my heart: leaves whisper secrets
to the wind and bombs fall…
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My kids are very proud of my blog, and they love for me to read them my books. They keep me going. 🙂 Thanks for your kind words.
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children of the world
driven from their homelands
by greed and war
still with a child’s hope
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I love it, Maureen! Great job!
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Thanks Brenda
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The children of the world are the reason for my work, as well. It’s the most challenging, inspiring, heartbreaking, hilarious and amazing work you can ever do.
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Yes, it is. The most rewarding, though.
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“you are the beautiful hands” — yes, I picture our world in the hands of these children and it gives me hope.
Your poem is a portrait of children across the world — wonderful details.
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Thanks, Laura. It was an inspiring image. I hope our children can salvage this world.
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I came here just after hearing Nye read a poem called “Guidelines” by Lisa Suhair Majaj and this, in response, is perfectly lovely.
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Thanks, Tanita! I’ll hope to run across “Guidelines” as I make my way through the link up.
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Beautiful, Brenda. Your generous and compassionate heart shines in every poem you write. 🙂
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Thank, Jama. 🙂 Nye is very inspiring.
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Very beautiful, Brenda.
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Thanks, Penny.
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What a beautiful response to another beautiful poem.
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Thanks, Kay! I like your comments on the #10FoundWords. Isn’t that such fun? I hope I can keep going, but Every Day? I’m not great at Every Day things.
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Brenda this is so beautiful !
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That is high praise coming from you, Holly! XOXO
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Thank you Brenda you are too kind, this is a very lovely poem, I adore it. XOXO
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Thanks again!
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what a beautiful thing this is and i love the poems dedicated to the children of the world who find its joys no matter what
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Absolutely! Even the most traumatized child will light up like a sunrise with a little warmth.
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Love this – maybe add a little stanza for the children driven from their homes by war – just to include them
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Why don’t you write one for the comments? XOXO
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good idea
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Beautiful and touching!
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Thanks!
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Thank you for following me and for the like. I look forward to reading your work.
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I visited you after you followed me, and I liked your blog. I’m always happy to meet another writer. Take care, Brenda
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Lovely, Brenda.
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Thanks, Gigi!
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