constructing poetry

to Madeline

my dear Mattie,
in the back of my head,
you’re still the toddler
bouncing off the walls,
yellow curls flying,
sitting in the middle of a mess
with the sweetest,
(most devilish) grin on your face.

I know you’ve grown,
but nine years difference
is a difficult gap to master.
I was away, living my life
when you took your
first headlong rush into adulthood.

but I see you now, with children
of your own. your daughter is
nine—growing so fast,
so well. I am awed by you.
the way your mind works—
so fast, so well. the way you
hold your family safe. the way
you help them grow.

this year, your package
held a shawl in purples and greens.
with every knitted stitch, I thought
of you and marveled over you
and loved you. no matter
where our lives and loves
take up—and you are so far away—
I miss you and think of you daily.
keep well.
I love you, Rhyssa

line count: 32

Prompt ▼

Theme: write a poem for Christmas morning for someone to find in the toe of their stocking. Someone real. Mom, dad, your child, spouse, sibling, partner, best friend or grandparent. Be real, honest and make them smile. Write from your heart. Show emotion! (And then consider actually doing this! Did it one year for everyone. Happy tears and the highlight of the morning!)


Words to use: Their first name or mom etc.
Forbidden words: the, of, for, to, you, me, my, we, with, from .... only kidding....use whatever words express your heart.
Additional parameters: rhyming or not, Min 24 lines of love.