Continuing with ideas from the book. This time, "Special Characters".
Remember to share:
Tabatha Yeatts has created a link to poems teachers and librarians can print for poetry month, titled "Poetry in The Halls". I'm grateful to be one of the poets!
Jama Rattigan has a post HERE with many poets' goals for April.
The Progressive Poem schedule can be found on the right!
Being-A-Lady Lessons
On special sunny afternoons,
I was invited to tea with Mrs. Mueller,
our across-the-street neighbor.
She kept a vegetable garden
rimmed with all manner of flowers.
When I was old enough, perhaps six,
we began having tea times, with cake always
then later in the season cucumber slices,
and berries.
I dressed up for this special invitation
and walked across the street
all by myself.
I learned to say “How do, Mrs. Mueller?”
“Thank you for inviting me,” and
“The cake is delicious this afternoon.”
We did not play games, but held
polite conversations.
She asked after the family,
and I asked after hers.
We strolled among the flowers
while she taught me the names,
and allowed me to pick a few
to take to my mother.
Growing up means different kinds
of learning.
Linda Baie ©
Wonderful! Can you imagine this in today’s world? Oh, the pleasantries so many are missing. You sure paint beautiful pictures with your words, Linda!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's fun to capture those old times! Some can exist if we make it so!
DeleteI envy anyone having someone like Mrs. Mueller across the street. Love the idea of these special tea parties. Manners and civility!! Children are never too young to learn these things.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. She was a sweet neighbor to me. Thanks, Jama
DeleteYou sure had some special neighbors. I can imagine you sitting prim and proper with Mrs. Mueller learning to be a kind and caring individual.
ReplyDeleteIn a little town, there were many wonderful neighbors and I so loved the visiting. Mrs. Mueller was one special one I remember more clearly. Thanks, Margaret.
DeleteThis is a sweet memory. I think I entered my adolescent world only half civilized. I'm not sure I'm there even now.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I didn't keep on with all those niceties, but it was fun as a little girl. Thanks, Cheriee!
DeleteOh, Linda, I can just see this and imagine how wonderful it was for you. Did you wear your little white gloves and a hat? Your little white anklet socks etc.? I am sure your visits meant as much to Mrs. Mueller as they did to you. I bet she has had a big influence on your life. Like how you love to do so much with those special grandgirls. I was lucky to have a first grade teacher, Mrs. Burgess, who encouraged me and invited me for dinner and a picnic. Not a lot of visits but enough to have had an impact. I wish there was a lot more decency in a gentle way in this day and age, but I also know that sometimes rough edges does not always mean lack of caring. But I may just be getting old. I see kindness and positive talk and encouragement as strength not old-fashioned customs. Different times. Terrific memories. Janet Clare F.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janet, it's so fun to hear about your experiences, too. I loved my first grade teacher, too, but didn't have that kind of experience with her. I don't think I wore gloves, but a summer hat, yes! It was special to go to tea with her.
DeleteMrs. Mueller is so different from Lizzie Weimer! And yet it seems like the both taught you such important things. You grew up on a really interesting block! The details in this poem, "cake" and "cucumber slices and berries" and the dialogue really bring it to life!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol. It was a small town, so those I visited were in a variety of places. We saw a lot of different people!
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