Poems Can Help Us Say Goodbye

 

George Charles Ludwig II

1944 - 2020

Loved by So Many

amylvpoemfarm · Here And Gone And Here - a poem by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

Dear Students and Friends - I have not been in this space for a couple of weeks because my loving father, George Ludwig, died on August 21, 2020. Instead of tending this space, I have been missing my dad very much and also taking care of his house and business.

Too, I have taken a position as a fourth grade teacher, and I could not be happier about this. It has been a sad time and a time of new beginnings, and I am grateful that my dad knew about my job. He was so happy for and proud of me, and I cannot wait to meet my students this week. It has been 22 years since I was a classroom teacher, and at this time of loss, I am happy to have a beautiful new beginning too. Thank you to everyone at Parkdale Elementary and everyone in the East Aurora Union Free School District for welcoming me so warmly.

Each person experiences ups and downs on life's rollercoaster, and I am grateful to have spent so much of my own life-ride with my father. Some of you may know the feeling of almost not believing that someone is gone, and at such a time, reading and writing poems can help us hold our feelings up to the light. Even when the world feels scary, words are here for us. Words and poems can help us grieve, can help us say goodbye.

I wrote this poem in the second person, choosing to write in the you voice instead of the I voice, even though this poem is actually about me and my own dad. It just felt right this way. Remember, when you write your own poems, you may choose the point of view. It need not always be your own.

Carol is hosting this week's Poetry Friday party over at Beyond LiteracyLink with the roundup and her Embracable Summer Gallery of poems and images.We invite everybody to join in each Friday as we share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship. Check out my left sidebar to learn where to find this poetry goodness each week of the year.

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On Mother's Day - For a Dad

Love
by Amy LV

Students - I wrote today's poem because I have been thinking about children who do not have moms living with them.  A mom is a special person.  But a dad or a grandma or grandpa or aunt or uncle will often step in and be the mom who - for whatever reason - might not be there.  Thank you to everyone who does the job of a mom each day - dads, grandparents, other relatives, teachers, nurses, those who love us when and how we most need it.  

You will notice that this poem does not go on and on.  It is simple.  The feeling is simple too.  Sometimes too many words are too many words.

Jama is hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup over at her delicious blog, Jama's Alphabet Soup.  Visit Jama's place to enjoy Poetry Friday fun all around the Kidlitosphere this week!

This weekend you will find me at the International Reading Association Conference in New Orleans, LA.  I will be speaking as a part of this panel about THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR SCIENCE, and I will be signing FOREST HAS A SONG at the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Booth (#1951) from 1:00pm - 2:00pm.  Can't wait!

Happy Mother's Day!

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