I had a marvelous birthday weekend last week with my family, in Santa Fe and in Albuquerque viewing the eclipse and the balloon fiesta! Then, back home Sunday night, and every evening our sunsets have been glorious. There is much in my life to make me smile. (FYI - There were many more balloons than shown, but I'm sharing this pic because the middle one is the Colorado one.)
And then, and then, the turmoil in our world, our country, brings sadness. I read this article about concern for American teens and their mental health from Time magazine which connected to a poem I saved a few weeks ago that has stayed on my mind. They have experienced or read about school shootings, lived through the Pandemic years, and are now seeing this latest terrible news. I realize past generations have had big challenges, too. This feels different, however, I guess because of social media, and instant news. Nevertheless, this voice touched me from its child-like worry, something I might never have imagined, if not for this heartfelt poem.
Luke and the Frog: An American Fairytale OR What It Feels Like to Be a Parent in America
by Jasminne Mendez
It begins:
"On the Monday after Mother's Day,
after another mass shooting,
I pick up my daughter from school
and on the ride home while she munches
on veggie chips and looks out the window,
she tells me a modern day fairytale:
the rest is HERE!
Happy birthday, Linda and yay for your trip! So much beyond our control in the world (and on the playground)...we need poetry and poets and children with their keen observations more than ever. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Irene. I do hope that children everywhere find poetry for a support.
DeleteHappy Birthday my fellow Libra! Your eclipse, balloons, and sunsets are pure joy, Linda. And Jasminne Mendez's poem is a gut punch about what really young kids are experiencing these days. I like that poetry cuts through the noise and offers clarity to troubling experiences, but also hope.
ReplyDeleteMost times, it seems that poetry can show something so much more than a longish set of words. This one did that for me. Thanks, Bridget!
DeleteHappy to hear you had a great birthday weekend! Enjoyed the pics!! That poem really packed a wallop. You're right, it does feel different. Although every generation has its challenges, things now are pure crazy -- and the internet has something to do with it.
ReplyDeleteWell, you know I agree, Jama. I see it in my granddaughters' worries. The weekend was a marvelous respite for us all! Thank you!
DeleteLinda, there is so much sadness in this world that being involved in a happy dance and sharing a smile may be great picker-uppers. I know when I watch the news lately, I cringe. I look at my little grands and feel sad for the children in the war zones. Thank you for leading me to a poem with voice and an article with data to understand what is plaguing children and teens these days. Have a Happy Weekend. I am delighted your birthday weekend was filled with happiness.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol, I am grateful my grandchildren are not in a war but they do see the news and it adds to the tension. I am hopeful that those in power can relent and call for peace instead of retaliation. As I wrote above, the weekend gave us all a wonderful time together and a pause in busy lives. It was so nice.
DeleteLinda, you had such beautiful, clear skies for the balloon festival. What a fun way to celebrate your birthday! Your thoughts on the emotional state of our teens (and at this point even twenty-somethings) ring true and are so sad. It feels like they missed so much innocence and were handed so much turmoil.
ReplyDeleteYes, we were worried about clouds but not one appeared! Lucky us! I am sad too for the kids. I was glad when my grandson had his 1st year in college before the Pandemic. He knew that the next year's freshman had a really hard & lonely time. And that's just one small group! Thanks, Tracey!
DeleteThat poor child who was the only one trying to get the others to stop. I'm glad the mother was able to turn the situation into a poem. Thanks so much for sharing it, Linda.
ReplyDeleteIt is flabbergasting to read, isn't it? I'm glad you liked it, no matter the heartbreak. Thanks, Tabatha
DeleteYay! I figured out my commenting problem: Happy birthday, Linda. Hooray for your beautiful trip and your birthday. This poem is gut-wrenching. Life seems to have lost its value to so many. And this does feel different. When I’m bombarded with videos of murders happening and hear phone calls that young people made to loved ones as they were dying…how do children deal with this. I don’t even know how to. Poetry, hot air balloons, sunsets…their beauty is so needed.
ReplyDeleteLinda, the American Fairytale is so sad. That title shares so much truth. Thank you for sharing it, and the beautiful pictures. Here's to more beauty and more poetry in the lives of our young people.
ReplyDeleteLinda, what a sad, but beautiful, poem. It really captures some of what so many right minded people are worrying about. I am glad you shared it, and am going to bookmark it. Am glad that, in the midst of this time, you still had a lovely birthday weekend. I think the world needs that birthday feeling.
ReplyDeleteA vertiable cornucopia of events-birthdays, eclipses, life pressures and a most poignant poem. Linda, you highlight for me the undeniable complexity of our existence. We are sailing through an ocean where the waters are choppy to say the least. Your post also highlights the importance of those special, saner moments. Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteThat poem was a gut-punch when I read it the first time. I agree, it has stayed with me.
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled that you had such a glorious birthday celebration! Hold onto those feelings no matter what else is going on in the world!
Happy belated birthday! And wow that poem. So, so sad.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wishes, everyone, and hoping for better days coming!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Linda! Hold on to the hope you feel in the beauty of the world. You will spread it with your words.
ReplyDeleteOuch...yes, the despair our teens feel is heartbreaking. Some days I'd like to be one of those balloons, floating away, above the heartache.
ReplyDeleteI see you all have the special eclipse glasses, Linda! What a fun birthday!
ReplyDeleteYes, we had some of the regular ones & some of the binocular ones!
DeleteOh, Linda, what a heartbreaking poem you shared! It brought tears. I'm glad you shared that it was your birthday because I would love to wish you a happy one. So glad you got to be with your family and celebrate something as precious as that.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Rose, Patricia, Anastasia, & Janice! It feels right to take note of the needs kids face today but also feels very nice to read your lovely comments! Wishing everyone a good week coming up!
ReplyDeleteOh such a sad poem– and this line, "& Mami, what if that frog was supposed to be a prince" whoa, still sighing–though I'm glad it's come out in a poem–wishing it was just a fairytale too… What a wonderful Birthday trip you had–a great escape from all too for all of you, thanks for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeleteLInda, UGH! This stabs me in the heart! These lines especially bother me - "I was the only one who yelled stop!
ReplyDeleteStop! Don’t kill it!" It reminds me of the play, The Lottery - with the stoning. I wish the world was a better place for our children/grandchildren. It worries me. On a happier note, Happy Birthday! I love Santa Fe and would love to go see the Balloon Fest someday!
Thanks, Michelle & Carol. I was glad for my getaway with family, now time to help in all the ways I can for our world!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you had an amazing birthday! The poem broke my heart, and those last lines... will stay with me, too. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDelete