All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. (Pablo Picasso)
My 6-year-old daughter lives in a horsecentric universe. Everything around her is filtered through a grid that asks, “Hmm. I wonder, how would this look with horses?” In honor of Poetry Friday, hosted at Farm School today, here’s ”Horses,” a short poetic meditation on living in the resulting household landscape:
Horses pinned to corkboard,
horses in a heap;
horses made of pom-poms
watch me while I eat.
Horses made of playdough,
horses filling books,
horses lining bookshelves–
They’re everywhere I look!
Does this obsession limit?
Or does it feed the flame
of her imagination–
her artistry–
her Name–
For I can have no doubt
her calling is to be
a seer and a sayer
transforming worlds for me.
If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in. (Rachel Carson)
6 responses so far ↓
Susan T. // January 18, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I like that poem! Very cool. I lived in a horse-centric universe long ago myself. “Misty of Chincoteague” all the way. Welcome to Poetry Friday, too.
writer2b // January 18, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Thanks! I appreciate the chance to take part.
As a matter of fact, we’re reading ‘Sea Star: Orphan of Chincoteague’ this week!
Becky // January 18, 2008 at 8:48 pm
They do transform the world for us, don’t they? I marvel every day at the things they see that I don’t, and am ever grateful that they share their thoughts and ideas with me. Thanks so much for sharing your daughter’s passion, and your terrific poem about it.
Ruth // January 19, 2008 at 1:46 am
Great stuff!
JWalz // January 19, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Ah yes… I had that phase too. Loved Black Beauty, Misty, Horse and His Boy, and Walter Farley’s entire collection of books about horses. King of the Wind is a good one too.
But I never got to ride one until I was in college. Your daughter really gets to appreciate them on a whole different level! Good for her.
Laura Salas // January 23, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing your poem and your daughter!
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