School started here recently, and we've got quite the neighborhood crew that hops aboard the bus bright and early every morning. But not our youngest, Gwen. She'll go to Kindergarten next year, but for now she's the only one left behind when the big kids head off. There's something mellow but a little magical about the time we have together when Leo's at school for the day. That felt like something I could tie into a fall-themed piece. I recently read the book Amah Faraway by Margaret Chiu Greenias (Illustrated by Tracy Subisak), which is SO INCREDIBLE. The author wrote it as a reverse poem, where the second half of the story is in perfect reverse order of the first and tells quite a different tale. Not an easy feat! But I thought I'd give it a shot for this entry. And, for funsies, I made a digital painting to go along with it. A Little While: A Reverse PoemBy Allison Strick
119 words It’s only Mom and me, for a little while. Brother’s getting on the bus. Things feel different. I sigh. She says, “He’ll be back soon.” No school for me-- I’m younger, littler. In the woods, it’s quiet, quiet, except for our feet in the leaves. Two sets of tracks follow Mom and me, holding hands. Crunching, Kicking. Pausing. Listening. Being. Turning back. Kicking, Crunching. Holding hands, Mom and me follow two sets of tracks. Except for our feet in the leaves, it’s quiet, quiet in the woods. I’m younger, littler-- No school for me! She says, “He’ll be back soon.” I sigh. Things feel different. Brother’s getting on the bus. For a little while, It’s only Mom and me.
12 Comments
Jill Lambert
10/1/2022 02:04:35 pm
Beautifully done, Allison! I love your digital painting, too. So talented!
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Yara Flores
10/1/2022 09:58:44 pm
So sweet! Made me reflect on the years I got to spend home with my youngest. She is on that bus this year.
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Ellen Slanczka
10/2/2022 05:47:21 am
Nicely done, Allison.
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10/2/2022 10:43:12 am
This is beautiful! And I relate to this so much! It's my son's first year of school and my daughter's last year home with me. I love this, Allison, and your illustration is wonderful!
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Jennifer Weingardt
10/4/2022 05:34:42 am
Love this! It made me feel present during the walk.
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Hannah Roy
10/5/2022 10:23:51 am
Awesome job! I chose the same image and I love the different directions we took!
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Melisa Wrex
10/8/2022 07:47:52 pm
Short, sweet, looks deceptively simple, but it is NOT. Tugging at the heartstrings all the way. Congratulations on a beautiful work.
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