Tupelo 26/30: In Her Lap, To the World

Dear Reader, 

Today's poem responds to three donated prompts, and more!

My friend Lia Conte asked for a poem that might speak to the urge we have as parents to prepare our children for the bitterness of the world, that wish that our young will grow into resilient adults who can make their own happiness and share it with others. 

At the same time, this poem also responds to a title donated by my friend and former student Manar Hussein, who is a poet, educator and activist. When I asked her about the origins of the title, she explained, "We wake up with a pile of things we need to do vs want to do, and we go to sleep with the pile either smaller or bigger, changed somehow...we only really have two choices to do/or not to, to be/not to be & that determines what we give to the world...the every day decisions...seem small but end up determining everything else." Here, I've taken her discussion of these choices and how they impact our children. 

In addition, the poem includes five words donated by Maria Gimbor: "commit, surrender, listen to music." 

As if all of this were not enough, it's also a response to Forgiveness Day (June 26th), as the speaker is seeking forgiveness, from the larger world and from the self. 

But wait, I'm not done yet. I'm offering this poem to Garden State Academy, the amazing, progressive preschool my daughter attends, as the staff have donated to Tupelo, too.

And finally, I have to thank my long-time friend and forever teacher Pam Cross for her unending love and assurance that true love will not spoil a child. 

Here is an excerpt from "In Her Lap, To the World" (read the full poem on Tupelo Press' 30/30 blog): 

"Once you could send an infant, under eleven pounds, by post,

trust the carrier to deliver your son–postage pinned

to his little corduroy vest–to your sister, eighty miles away.

It wasn’t legal long. I don’t know if I’d prefer my child

to carry a house on her back, to bite when a hand’s too near,

or make a new nest each season. There’s no best version.

I’m always asking her to be me and not me,

which is what a child is anyway...."

Reader, I continue to thank you for reading here and following the Tupelo site. I have four poems remaining, and I will do my best to see that the eight remaining donation incentives find their into them. 

However, as I said in my last post, if you have your heart set on sending me something, please do. It may be the exact image/words I need! 

If you would like to donate to support my project, please see my first posting for incentive amounts and make your way to the Tupelo Press donation page. Be sure to select my name from the scroll down tab titled "Is this donation in honor of a 30/30 poet?" After you've donated, be sure to email (edigiorgio@gmail.com) or Facebook message me your requests. I don't want to miss your request!

Also, if you're enjoyed reading poetry this month, you might consider a subscription to Tupelo. You'll receive 9 books for $99, which is a steal! You can also *gift* this subscription to someone else (including me!)...I have friends and students who would be delighted to be the recipient. 

Yours in poetry,

Emari