Five for Friday: Celebrating Mom

Anders Adermark

Not all of us can do great things. 

But we can do small things with great love.

Although this quote has been widely misattributed to Mother Teresa, it certainly embodies motherhood, don't you think?

I'm quite sure I'm not the only one devoting today's blog post to Mother's Day. In fact, I predict I'm not the only one sharing "The Lanyard" by Billy Collins either. It's a popular favorite for good reason!

But first I wanted to mention how honored I am that Michelle Kogan is featuring one of my original mother-inspired poems at her blog. You'll find "Mother's Heart" along with four others from The Best of Today's Little Ditty 2016—poems by B.J. Lee, Heidi Mordhorst, Charles Waters, and Michelle, herself. She's done a wonderful job presenting each one with some backstory and a photograph. I hope you'll stop by and say hello to 13-year-old me with my beautiful mom!

Now where was I? Oh yes, Billy Collins. I think my mom will really like "The Lanyard." She'll appreciate its message, of course, but also its accessibility and humor. In the words of poet Stephen Dunn, "We seem to always know where we are in a Billy Collins poem, but not necessarily where he is going."

"The Lanyard" by Billy Collins 

(read by the poet)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khQ9e0QpEM8

Read the poem in its entirety HERE.
Explore teaching tips and support materials for this poem HERE.

I've made the kind of lanyard Collins talks about, though I'm not sure I've ever presented one to my mother. I have given her a number of potholders from my camp days, however. Does that count? Either way, it's the thought that matters.  Love you, Mom. xo

Watch a do-it-yourself video on how to start your own box stitch lanyard HERE.


Now since we're in DIY mode anyway, how about a Five for Friday celebration?

Today's theme is to write about a specific gift you have given to, or received from, your mother.

It's been a while since our last Five for Friday party, so for those who are new or would like a refresher, all you need to do is come up with five words (plus title if you wish) on today's theme.

Please don't think too hard about it! Off the top of your head is fine. Leave your 5-word ditty in the comments, or email it to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com. I will move your contribution to the main body of the post.

I'll start us off. Hmmm... okay, here's one. (See how long that took me? Not long at all!) This is based on a Mother's Day poem I wrote for Laura Purdie Salas' cinquain challenge in 2014.

SOGGY KISSES

mommy waters me—

her flower

– Michelle Heidenrich Barnes

* * *

HEARTFELT ART

tenderly tied
by paint tubes.

– Michelle Kogan

* * *

LIFELINE

states away,
our daily visits

 – Linda Baie

* * *

MADE AT CAMP

Sloppy potholder
Neatly transmits love.

– Karen Edmisten

* * *

FOUND IN MOM'S NIGHT TABLE DRAWER

Fifty-year-old card
drawn by me.

– Buffy Silverman

* * *

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

Can't miss a
plant sale

– Tabatha Yeatts

* * *

FROM A PLASTIC LOOM

Potholder,
stretchy strips
hugging tightly

– Laura Purdie Salas

* * *

TRAIN RIDE TO SCOTLAND

Time together
one on one.

– Jama Rattigan

 

* * *

FLIGHT

Freedom to spread
my wings.

– Kay Jernigan McGriff

* * *

PLANTED VINE

Twists around
both our hearts.

– Margaret Simon

* * *

MOTHER’S KNITTING

Handmade sweaters
warm, comfort, love

– Dianne Moritz

* * *

Wedding pearls
love to celebrate

– Linda Mitchell

* * *

A GIFT FOR MOM

Popsicle-stick box
holds my love.

– Rosi Hollinbeck

 * * *

ANOTHER MOTHER'S DAY...

Another card-bouquet,
delivered late.

– Brenda Davis Harsham

* * *

Favorite poems shared lovingly together.

– Christie Wyman 

* * *

KNITTED BY HAND

sweater worn well
mamma-warm s t i l l

– Cory Corrado

* * *

homemade
cake chunks,
frosting soup...

– Donna JT Smith

* * *

GRANDCHILDREN

She met all three.

– Diane Mayr 

* * *

squishy hugs
limited by geography

– Bridget Magee

* * *

HER GIFT TO ME WAS MY GIFT TO HER

Vicariously lived:
a happy childhood.

– Mary Lee Hahn

* * *

MY MEME

bathing
grandbabies
with
tender
TLC

– Dani Burtsfield

Sharon Soberon

This month's DMC challenge from Julie Fogliano is to write a poem about what you see outside your window. If you missed last Friday's interview, you'll find it HERE. Off to a splendid start, this week's daily ditties included poems by Lana Wayne Koehler, Janice Scully, Michelle Kogan, and Jessica Bigi. Catherine Flynn is sharing her window poem today at Reading to the Core. Leave your window poem on our May 2018 padlet.

Happiness has landed at Jama's Alphabet Soup! Join Jama for a beautiful selection of bluebird poems and art, as well as this week's Poetry Friday roundup.