Michelle Faulkner Poet Free verse

I Like Ladybugs

Eight years old on that January Wednesday
Little hesitant steps into the schoolyard
Everyone has stranger's eyes
Mazes of hallways, lunchroom arena, playground cliques
Expedited heartbeat, ceiling too high to the
New kid, the foreigner, the interloper
Throat too tight, mouth too dry
Anxiety blocks my words, even my name, then
Ringing bells, summoning students in a river, and do
You need help, the kind lady is asking

Soothing hand on my shoulder, guides me to
Class, chattering kids, tables and pencils, one girl says
Hi, do you like bugs - I laugh and
One friend is made - she makes room for the
Outsider, and I say yes, I like
Ladybugs - and suddenly I belong.

12/04/18

for My Youth contest
sponsor: Craig Cornish

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Susan Ashley December 27, 2018 at 9:41 AM Your poem is so inspirited with moving emotion, Michelle. A heartfelt piece that is felt deeply in this reader’s heart. I love ladybugs too. A fantastic poem. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Funom Makama December 18, 2018 at 10:50 AM Lord God! This has excited me to my soul... My spirit dances like a redeemed bastard with your lines... Keep on writing dear friend. Michelle Faulkner December 18, 2018 at 4:12 PM Thank you for your comment!

Carolyn Devonshire December 15, 2018 at 2:49 PM Ah, how wonderful it is when the first student reaches out to welcome a newcomer, Michelle. So glad you made a friend. Congratulations on a great win in Craig's contest! Sending wishes for holiday cheer, Carolyn Michelle Faulkner December 15, 2018 at 3:42 PM Thanks for your cheery comment, Carolyn, happy holidays to you too!

Gregory Richard Barden December 15, 2018 at 10:46 AM Sincere congratulations on your win in Craig's "My Youth" contest, Michelle - blessings and best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful holiday season! Keep the wonderful ink flowing, my friend! :-) <3 Michelle Faulkner December 15, 2018 at 3:42 PM Thank you, holiday wishes to you as well!

Wendy Watson December 15, 2018 at 10:33 AM Congratulations on your win, Michelle. I 'followed you ' into that situation in my mind and your anxiety then relief were palpable! Your new-found friend would never have dreamt that she'd feature in a winning poem one day! Michelle Faulkner December 15, 2018 at 3:44 PM Thank you for your kind comments, Wendy, much appreciated!

Gershon Wolf December 11, 2018 at 3:49 PM Nice narrative....Who can't relate?! ... Tenderly and lovingly written ... It felt real to me, as if I were right there. :) gw Michelle Faulkner December 11, 2018 at 10:49 PM So appreciate your touching comments, my friend!

P.S. Awtry December 10, 2018 at 1:35 PM ladybugs are the best! for goodness sake they have POLKA-DOTS! You described that first day of school feeling so well. Such brave little troopers children are :) Michelle Faulkner December 10, 2018 at 1:53 PM Thanks for your fun comment, P.S!

Andrea Dietrich December 9, 2018 at 8:31 PM this is TOO cute. I betcha this will get a win. I love ladybugs too!! Someone told me their dots respresented their number of years, but i suppose someone made that up!!~ Michelle Faulkner December 9, 2018 at 10:53 PM So glad you like it!

Andrea Dietrich December 9, 2018 at 8:30 PM You said we had the same title "their voices" but i can't find your poem . Let me read this one instead. Michelle Faulkner December 9, 2018 at 10:52 PM Hi Andrea - 'Their Voices' is one of the winners in the 'Voices' contest, you can find it there-

Harry Horsman December 6, 2018 at 3:26 PM Takes me back, 70 years Michelle, and i cried, the first time the bond between my mother and had been broken, and your wonderful poetry, places me way back there, and i thank you ever so much, for the memory. Michelle Faulkner December 7, 2018 at 1:34 AM Thank you, Harry, I am so touched by your response!

Lindsay Laurie December 5, 2018 at 11:54 PM G'day Michelle … breaking the ice can be quite traumatic, but then the flood gates open - nicely written Michelle - Lindsay Michelle Faulkner December 7, 2018 at 1:34 AM Appreciate that, thanks!

Rhona Mcferran December 5, 2018 at 1:45 PM Beautifully told... I could picture this so clearly! Love how you ended it- perfect!! ;) Michelle Faulkner December 8, 2018 at 4:05 PM Thank you for your kind words, Rhona!

M. L. Kiser December 5, 2018 at 7:03 AM That's very cute; we all want to fit in; you did it well. Michelle Faulkner December 8, 2018 at 4:05 PM Thanks, glad you like it!

Caren Krutsinger December 5, 2018 at 12:35 AM I am so glad this happened to you, and I am assuming it did as truth is written all over it, and fear, and honesty, and the feeling only a new kid can feel or ever recall. A feeling with no name for those of us who were never a new kid. Michelle Faulkner December 8, 2018 at 4:08 PM I was a Navy brat, so being the 'new kid' was a part of life - but this memory stands out-

Kim Rodrigues December 4, 2018 at 7:16 PM And that’s all it takes! Michelle Faulkner December 8, 2018 at 4:09 PM Sometimes it is that simple!

Chris Green December 4, 2018 at 5:29 PM This was really cute Michelle and I could almost hear the two girls talking in my head as I read this. I could definitely see the smiles at the end. This was adorable. : ) Michelle Faulkner December 4, 2018 at 5:47 PM So grateful for your kind comment, Chris!

Jan Allison December 4, 2018 at 4:48 PM I absolutely loved your poem Michelle Being the new kid on the block can be so traumatic - having worked in a school and seeing first hand how difficult it can be for children to integrate and then the ice is broken and life is so much sweeter:-) hugs Jan xx Michelle Faulkner December 4, 2018 at 5:47 PM Thanks, Jan, yes it was very hard sometimes!