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Friday, April 13, 2018

POEM #13- Happy Birthday Lee Bennett Hopkins!


Happy Birthday 
Lee Bennett Hopkins!
Wishing you a day filled with
dear friends and stories and cupcakes!

In honor of Lee, and all of the contributions he has made to the world of children's literature, and more specifically to the world of poetry, I decided I would try a golden shovel poem, based on one of Lee's poems, "Storyteller, (For Augusta Baker)" from one of his most recent books, JUMPING OFF THE LIBRARY SHELVES, published in 2015.


Storyteller
(For Augusta Baker)
by Lee Bennett Hopkins

As she speaks
words
leap from pages--

there are
friends like
frog and toad--

I walk 
down a
yellow brick road.

Worlds of paper
disappear--

only
Miss Augusta 
and I
are here
in a room
filled with magic
story
rhyme.

And as her voice
reaches
the highest rafter--

I believe in

once-upon-a-time,

I believe in

happily every after. 



"this I believe"

I 
believe 
there is great magic in
beginning each child's day with once-upon-a-time,
and
also firmly believe 
each child's day should end in
they all lived happily 
and kindly and peacefully ever 
 after

(C) Carol Wilcox, 2018

And now you should head over to Robin Hood Black's 
LIFE ON THE DECKLE EDGE 
where there are lots of posts, and maybe some cake and ice cream and candles,  in honor of Lee!

11 comments:

Jean said...

You did it! Marvelous!

Tabatha said...

Yes! Audacious beginnings and contented endings, with adventurous exploring in between.

Robyn Hood Black said...

A lovely way to celebrate Lee, Carol - thanks for joining the party!

Lee Bennett Hopkins said...

THANK YOU so much. Not only am I impressed, I am honored.

Glenda Funk said...

I can think of no higher honor than to write a poem honoring the poet. It is the most fitting happily ever after birthday wish.

Linda B said...

Beautifully done, Carol. There is nothing nicer than a "once upon a time". Both your and Lee's poems celebrate that.

Cathy said...

Carol, I just love this. What a delightful wish for everyone.

Ramona said...

I love that poem and your golden shovel,
"Worlds of paper disappear--
only Miss Augusta and I are here in a room filled with magic story rhyme."
And your words:
"they all lived happily
and kindly and peacefully ever
after."

Michelle Heidenrich Barnes said...

JUMPING is one of my all time favorite LBH anthologies. Your golden shovel is, well, golden. :)

Mary Lee said...

Huzzah for your golden shovel! Dig it!!

Kay said...

I love this Golden Shovel! I find it's a difficult form--and you did it well! Now if all days could begin with once upon a time and end with happily ever after!