Home » Poems » Suzanne Delaney » A Forest Child

Notes About The Poem

This is my friend's daughter they adopted from Thailand at age 11.
In one year she was speaking fluent English.
She received-american-veterans JROTC-cadet--outstanding-cadet-award/ last year.
Only one cadet per detachment receives the award annually.
She is also a girl guide and on the Volley Ball Team.
I taught her papercrafts and she makes all her own beautiful greeting cards.
She is a true example of a girl rising.
She misses her sister in Thailand who was kept by the family and often thinks of them all
and is torn between the two worlds but understands she has more opportunity here.

A Forest Child

She has eyes that have seen all the sky
a smile that is both knowing and shy
Her brow is humble and also proud
Expressions as soft as a shifting cloud.

She is tall and frail like a river reed
Up until now the forest has been her creed
And words that once flowed like a river stream
Now she must search for what they mean

Where once the forest taught her each simple rule
Now she is thrust  to study in a Western school
So her body conveys her intentions devout
She stays rooted despite her desire for flight

She absorbs new knowledge like sunlight itself
Her tears are like rain on this hard gained wealth
This shy forest spirit all blossomed and grown
We know, in quiet moments, where her thoughts flown.
 
 
MID SUMMER 2018 PREMIERE,ANY FORM OR NONE,ANY THEME,UPTO A MAX OF 20 LINES
Contest Judged:  7/2/2018 8:30:00 AM
Sponsored by: Brian Strand
Placed 9th.out of 10

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Line Gauthier

Date: 7/5/2018 10:14:00 PM

A beautiful tribute. Well done, Suzanne.

Sandra Haight

Date: 7/2/2018 8:49:00 PM

Such a lovely tribute, Suzanne, to such an outstanding and brave young girl! I enjoyed reading about her and her two worlds. Congratulations on your fine placement. Hugs, Sandra

Carrie Richards

Date: 7/2/2018 7:50:00 PM

Lovely descriptions ! She must be an amazing young lady, Suzanne! Thank you for sharing her story ! :)

Susan Gentry

Date: 7/2/2018 6:08:00 PM

Congratulations on your win with this lovely tribute to a sweet young lady and also to the people who love her. :)

Suzanne Delaney
Date: 7/2/2018 6:28:00 PM

Thanks Susan: I was so happy it placed in Brian’s Premier contest.

Agnes Krampe

Date: 7/2/2018 3:14:00 PM

Beautiful tribute to a special girl, Suzanne. Straddling two cultures is difficult, and you depicted that well.

Suzanne Delaney
Date: 7/2/2018 5:56:00 PM

I appreciate you stopping by Agnes. She is now in college and doing well.

Timothy Hicks

Date: 3/13/2016 10:17:00 PM

As an aside ... my ankle was only bothering me a couple days. Completely fine now. The main reason I brought it up was your mentioning of "buckling knees" ... LOL!

Suzanne Delaney
Date: 3/13/2016 11:11:00 PM

Ha ha about the buckling knees. I have them and the liver spotted legs due to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Never did I imagine I would get that after being so athletic all my life. I blame it on a bone graft I had a few years back.

Timothy Hicks

Date: 3/13/2016 10:16:00 PM

Sounds like a girl who's roots will never leaver her, but who must now learn to thrive in the modern world. What a pearl of inspiration for your pen ... I feel almost like I know her, though I've never met her in person. Second stanza is my favorite. Stellar writing. I have a friend who visited Thailand once ... she said she was amazed by how happy the children were over there, despite having next to nothing.

Suzanne Delaney
Date: 3/13/2016 11:10:00 PM

So glad you could picture her so well. My husband has been to Thailand and Vietnam and he said people there are so happy despite not having a lot. It is true ...possessions don't equal happiness.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/6/2013 2:37:00 PM

wow, I love how you centered your poem around a real person and a remarkable young lady!! Congrats to you for your win.

Donna Jones

Date: 8/6/2013 8:22:00 AM

Enjoyed again....congratulations

Eileen Manassian

Date: 8/5/2013 12:02:00 PM

WOW! SuZ, thanks for sharing this wonderful look into her life...It must be difficult to be in between two words. She is blessed! Congrats on this winning piece, my dear. Hugs

Cherie Thomas

Date: 8/5/2013 10:07:00 AM

Excellent write suz ...beautiful transformation,, and a.true example.of girl :) rising...blessings to her,,,always...congrats on your win:)

Skat A

Date: 8/5/2013 9:52:00 AM

Suz, Congratulations!!! ~SKAT~

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 8/5/2013 9:06:00 AM

Suz, ... Congratulations in Richard's "Girl Rising." contest.... always *LINDA

Poet. Undertaker

Date: 8/5/2013 8:32:00 AM

Its very nice to read this Suz.You are a great intellect.reading your poems really gives peace.great poem.congrats for the win.(:cJenish

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/5/2013 8:00:00 AM

Thanks so much for entering my contest, excellent piece.

Hgarvey Daniel Esquire

Date: 5/2/2013 4:53:00 PM

Dear Xegrakio POETESS, S-N, S u Z, This POEM is the most Beautiful POEM I have read from YOUR repertoire. I Salute YOUR Friends for their LOVING Hearts. Congratulations. Favoritized. I LOVE YOU ALWAYS and FOREVER YOUR S-P, and Loyal Liege... HG

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/2/2013 2:55:00 PM

wow, capturing her essence as well as the physical . This is stunning. One of my favorites as I go through the list. Congratulations.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 5/2/2013 7:27:00 AM

Well expressed.

Mandy Tams The Golden Girl

Date: 5/2/2013 12:34:00 AM

This is a lovely picture Suzanne , love it xx

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 5/1/2013 6:22:00 PM

Suzanne, a nice winning poem in the "WORD PORTRAIT" contest :-) *LINDA

Debbie Duncan

Date: 4/30/2013 11:08:00 PM

nice picture, I think she should remember her homeland ways, have an awesome day Suzy ;}

Karen Anglesey

Date: 4/30/2013 12:39:00 PM

This is so eloquently painted. Wonderful read

Sheri Fresonke Harper

Date: 4/30/2013 10:40:00 AM

Suzanne, you have painted a beautiful little pixie of the forest, she seems a wonderful delight, enjoyed reading it. Congratulations.

Sara Kendrick

Date: 4/28/2013 2:41:00 PM

Very descriptive work honoring the child..Enjoyed reading your contest entry..Reads like a winner to me..Thanks for stopping by...Your comments were greatly appreciated..Sara

A Forest Child

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